LeBron James Returns to the Court with the Lakers: A Historic Debut
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James made his expected season debut, marking the start of his 23rd NBA season, an unprecedented record in the league. James led the Lakers to a victory with a score of 140-126 over the Utah Jazz. In this match, James demonstrated his skill on the court, accumulating 11 points, 12 assists, and 3 rebounds in 30 minutes of play. The team’s performance resulted in the most points scored so far this season. James also extended his impressive streak of consecutive games with double-digit scoring to 1,293, an achievement that began on January 6, 2007.James, 40 years old, was out of action for the first 14 games of the season due to sciatica problems that affected his lower back and the right side of his body.I just think he played with the right spirit. Very unselfish all night. He was willing to pass the ball, didn’t force anything, made his drives and shots when needed. The defense will pay attention to him, particularly when he has the ball in the post, especially when he’s pressing the rim, and I think he made a lot of great decisions tonight. It’s really good to have him back.
JJ Redick, Lakers Coach
With this game, James became the first player in NBA history to participate in 23 seasons, surpassing Vince Carter. James quickly found his rhythm, displaying a clinic of play in the second half, which helped the Lakers pull away on the scoreboard. He does things others can’t. He is here to help us all. Doncic scored 37 points, including 17 in the third quarter, and also recorded 10 assists. James accumulated eight assists in the second half, including six in the first three minutes of the last quarter. James rejoined the Lakers for training on Monday, participating in his first 5-on-5 practice since the team’s elimination in the first round of the playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves in April. 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 he was able to complete two consecutive days of practice without experiencing pain.It was fun being out there with the guys. It’s been tough mentally for me. This is the first time I’m starting a basketball season and I haven’t played since I started playing basketball, like at 9 years old, I’ve never missed the start of a basketball season.
LeBron James
James, who is already the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, started Tuesday 50 games away from Robert Parish, a Boston Celtics legend, on the games played list and is now 496 assists away from Jason Kidd in the number 3 spot on the all-time list. Deandre Ayton was visibly impressed by James’ passing skills during his first opportunity to play alongside his new teammate. The new Lakers center noted that the alley-oop pass 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 placed him at number 6 on the all-time list, surpassing Indiana Pacers shooter Reggie Miller.The pace tested me, but I was happy with how I was able to go with the guys. As the game went on, my breath improved a lot. I found my second wind, 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
