LeBron James returned to the court Tuesday night for his season debut against the Utah Jazz, becoming the first player in NBA history to play in 23 seasons. The 40-year-old superstar marked the occasion with a vintage performance, showcasing his elite playmaking in the Lakers’ 140–125 victory at Crypto.com Arena.
James, who missed the first 14 games of the season due to a sciatica nerve issue, started the game and logged 30 minutes. He finished with 11 points and 12 assists, orchestrating the Lakers’ offense with precision.
His passing display was especially dominant in the second half, where he repeatedly found teammates in stride, including Luka Dončić, who erupted for 37 points and 10 assists.
“Everything that happened tonight was expected,” James said postgame, reflecting on his return and the historic milestone. “I’ve been preparing for this moment. I knew what I could bring.”
With his appearance, James surpassed Vince Carter’s previous record of 22 NBA seasons, cementing his place as the league’s longest-tenured player. His debut also extended his streak of consecutive games with 10+ points to 1,293, and he moved past Reggie Miller into sixth place on the NBA’s all-time three-pointers list.
James had spent the past week training with the South Bay Lakers, the team’s G League affiliate, before joining full practice on Monday. His return was cleared after showing no setbacks in 5-on-5 drills, and he was upgraded to “available” just hours before tipoff.
The Lakers, now 11–4, have won three straight games and continue to build chemistry around their new core. Dončić’s third-quarter surge helped the team pull away from Utah, while Austin Reaves added 26 points in a strong supporting role.
James’s performance drew praise from teammates and analysts alike.
“He’s still one of the smartest players in the game,” Dončić said. “The way he sees the floor, it’s unreal.”
The NBA’s all-time leading scorer has made it clear that he’s not just playing for records.
“I’m here to win,” James said. “That’s always been the goal.”
As the Lakers look ahead to the rest of the season, James’s return adds a stabilizing force to a team with championship aspirations. His ability to control tempo, create for others, and lead by example remains unmatched, even in his 23rd year.
