LeBron James Debuts with 140 points and makes history with Lakers

LeBron James Returns to the Court with the Lakers: A Historic Milestone

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James made his season debut in a 140-126 victory against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night, marking the start of his 23rd season, a record in the NBA. James demonstrated his immediate impact with 11 points, 12 assists, and 3 rebounds in 30 minutes of play. The Lakers reached their season high score. In the third quarter, James scored a layup that extended his streak of consecutive games with double-digit scoring to 1,293, a record since January 6, 2007.

“I just think he played with the right spirit. Very unselfish all night. He was willing to pass the ball, didn’t force anything, took his drives and shots when they were available,” Lakers coach JJ Redick commented. “The defense is going to pay attention to him, particularly when he has the ball in the post, particularly when he’s pressing the rim, and I thought he made a lot of great decisions tonight. It’s really good to have him back.”

JJ Redick

James, 40 years old, was out of action 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 fun being there with the guys, man,” James said. “It’s been tough mentally for me; this is the first time I’m starting a basketball season and not playing since I started playing basketball, like at 9 years old, I’ve never missed the start of a basketball season.”

LeBron James

With this game against the Jazz, James became the first player in NBA history to play 23 seasons, surpassing Vince Carter. James didn’t take long to find his rhythm, showcasing his skill for the game in the second half, where the Lakers took the lead. Luka Doncic, with 37 points, including 17 in the third quarter, and 10 assists, stood out in the match. James recorded eight assists in the second half, including six in just over three minutes at the start of the final quarter.

“After the game, waiting for the guys to get back to the locker room, I think the word we were using as a coaching staff was our composure as a group,” Redick said. “Not overreacting, not separating ourselves, solving problems, all of that in real time, and just continuing to play. And that was sometimes lacking last year.”

JJ Redick

James’ return came after a rehabilitation assignment with the G League’s South Bay Lakers last week, while the team was on a five-game road trip and going through consecutive days of practice without experiencing any lingering pain.

“The pace tested me, but I was happy with how I was able to go with the guys,” James said. “As the game went on, my wind got a lot better. I got my second wind, I got my third wind. The pace is still coming back, obviously. First game in almost seven months, so everything that happened tonight was to be expected.”

LeBron James

James, already the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, entered Tuesday 50 games away from Robert Parish of the Boston Celtics for the lead in games played and is now 496 assists away from Jason Kidd for the No. 3 spot on the all-time list. Deandre Ayton was visibly impressed by James’ passes during his first opportunity to play in a game alongside his new teammate. The new Lakers center noted that the alley-oop he threw down for a dunk was actually the second he had received from James; the first was at James’ basketball camp in Las Vegas when Ayton, future No. 1 draft pick, was in eighth grade. James didn’t score in his first 11 minutes on the court, but his two three-pointers in the first half put him ahead of Indiana Pacers shooter Reggie Miller for 6th place on the all-time list.