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The Los Angeles Lakers scored at will LeBron James made his long-awaited season debut against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night.
James entered a record 23rd season in the NBA after suffering from 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 stat line.
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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) smiles before the announcement during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
“The pace tested me, but I was happy with how I was able to move with the guys,” James said. “As the match went on, my wind got a lot better. I caught my second wind, I caught my third wind. The rhythm always comes back, obviously. First match 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, although he had never missed a season opener since he began playing organized basketball. He was back at Lakers training Monday.
He made sure he was going to fit in with a team that entered 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 made a basket and drew a foul 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 that was a question. What’s wrong with these people here? I can fit in right away with anyone. Just watching the guys in the first 14 games, I was (mentally) putting myself in position as I was watching the games to know how I could help the team and how I could be successful in helping these guys. I’m always able to attract a lot of attention when I’m driving the ball or possessing it.”
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 20.
Utah fell to 5-9 this season.
Keyonte George had 34 points on 13-of-23 shooting with eight assists and four rebounds. Lauri Markkanen had 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, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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Vince Carter played 22 seasons. Carter’s final season was 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 mark.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
