HOUSTON Rockets’ Dikembe Mutombo became the oldest player in NBA history to record over 20 rebounds in a game, finishing with 22 boards in the Rockets’ 108-97 victory over the Nuggets in Denver on Friday night.

Mutombo, who will turn 41 in June, is the first player to reach 20 rebounds in a game past the age of 40.

“They had all these young guys around me,” he said. “I still got to the ball.”

Denver’s Allen Iverson found the stat hard to believe — not that Mutombo grabbed 22 boards but that he’s as old as he is.

“He’s 40?” laughed Iverson, who had 19 points. “Man, he’s doing great. What can you say about him? They lose a great player like Yao Ming (to a fractured tibia), and have a great backup center like that. You talk about him being 40 years old, he’s got many more years to play.”

Tracy McGrady scored 28 points, Juwan Howard had 18, Luther Head 17 and Shane Battier 15 — all on 3-pointers — as the Rockets beat the Nuggets at what Denver does best — running up and down the floor.

Coming into the contest, Mutombo’s season high in rebounds was 19.

 (SD-Agencies)

Houston Rockets center Dikembe Mutombo (R) celebrates scoring after being fouled by Denver Nuggets guard Steve Blake (L) in their NBA game in Denver on Friday.

SD-Agencies