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The Los Angeles Lakers were scoring at will when LeBron James made his long-awaited season debut against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night.
James entered an NBA-record 23rd season after dealing with sciatica during the first weeks of the year. He played 30 minutes and scored 11 points in the Lakers’ 140-129 victory. He added 12 assists and three rebounds to his statistics.
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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) smiles before kickoff during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
“The pace tested me, but I was happy with the way I was able to go with the guys,” James said. “As the game went on, my wind got a lot better. I took my second wind, I took my third wind. The rhythm is still coming back, obviously. First game in almost seven months, so everything that happened tonight was to be expected.”
James, 40, had been sidelined since the start of training camp and missed 14 games, despite never missing a season opener since he began playing organized basketball. He returned to Lakers practice on Monday.
He made sure he fit in with a team that came into Tuesday night’s game with a 10-4 record.
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Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) and forward LeBron James (23) celebrate after Hayes scored a basket and was fouled against the Utah Jazz during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
“I can fit in with anyone,” James said. “I don’t even understand why it was a question. What’s wrong with these people here? I can fit right in with anyone. Just watching the guys the first 14 games, I was putting myself (mentally) in position while watching the games of how I could help the team and how I could be successful in helping those guys. I can still gain a lot of eyes when I drive the ball or have the ball.”
Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 37 points on 11 of 22 shooting. He had 10 assists and five rebounds. Austin Reaves contributed 26 points and Deandre Ayton had 20.
Utah fell to 5-9 on the season.
Keyonte George scored 34 points on 13-of-23 shooting with eight assists and four rebounds. Lauri Markkanen scored 31 points and five rebounds.
James is the first player to participate in 23 NBA seasons.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts to a three-point basket by guard Gabe Vincent during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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Vince Carter played in 22 seasons. Carter’s final season came in 2019-20, which ended abruptly due to the coronavirus pandemic. Robert Parish, Kevin Willis, Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki and Chris Paul have all reached the 21-season benchmark.
