LeBron debuts against Jazz and sets a record with his 23rd season

LeBron James had 11 points in his 2025-2026 season debut with the Lakers and sets a record for being the first player to play 23 seasons.

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LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James debuted this season in a 140-126 victory over the Utah Jazz Tuesday night, kicking off its league-record 23rd season.

James recorded 11 points, 12 assists and 3 rebounds in 30 minutes, contributing to the highest score of the Lakers in the season. He scored a driving layup in the third quarter, extending his streak of double-digit scoring games to a record 1,293 games, all of which he has played since January 6, 2007.

“I think he played with the right attitude. He was very generous all night. He passed the ball generously, without forcing the plays, and took advantage of his penetration and shooting opportunities,” said the coach of the LakersJJ Redick. “The defense is going to pay a lot of attention to him, especially when he has the ball in the paint, especially when he’s pushing the rim, and I think he made a lot of good decisions tonight. It’s great to have him back.”

James40, was out for the first 14 games of the season due to sciatica, a nerve problem that affected his lower back and the right side of his body.

“It was good to be there with the players,” he said. James. “Mentally it’s been hard for me; it’s the first time I’ve started a basketball season without playing since I started playing at age 9. I’ve never missed the start of a season before.”

With his game against the Jazz, he became the first NBA player in history to play 23 seasonsbeating Vince Carter. He soon found his rhythm, putting on a playmaking display in the second half as the Lakers They distanced themselves on the scoreboard.

“He does things that others can’t. He’s here to help us all,” said Luka Doncic, who scored 37 points, including 17 in the third quarter, along with 10 assists.

James He recorded eight assists in the second half, including six in just over three minutes early in the fourth quarter.

”After the game, while we were waiting for the guys to go back to the locker room, I think the word we used as a coaching staff was ‘group poise,’” Redick said. “Don’t overreact, don’t break down, solve problems, all that in real time, and just keep playing. And that, at times, was lacking last year.”

James He returned to training with the team on Monday, joining his Lakers teammates for their first five-on-five action since Los Angeles’ first-round playoff exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves in April.

The return of James It came after a rehab stint with the G League’s South Bay Lakers last week while Los Angeles was on a five-game road trip. He completed two consecutive days of training without experiencing any discomfort or pain.

“The pace tested me, but I’m happy with my game,” he said. James. “As the match went on, my stamina got a lot better. I got my breath back, I got my rhythm back. Obviously, I’m still getting my rhythm back. First match in almost seven months, so everything that happened tonight was to be expected.”

Jamesthe NBA’s all-time leading scorer, began Tuesday 50 games behind the legendary Robert Parish of the Boston Celtics, the leader in games played, and 496 assists behind Jason Kidd, who occupies third place on the all-time list.

James He didn’t score in his first 11 minutes on the court, but his two 3-pointers in the first half moved him above Indiana Pacers sharpshooter Reggie Miller into sixth place on the all-time list.

This report includes information from The Associated Press.