LeBron James added another remarkable chapter to his legendary career on Tuesday, becoming the first player in NBA history to appear in 23 consecutive seasons. The 40-year-old star made his long-awaited return for the Los Angeles Lakers after missing the first 14 games of the campaign due to sciatica, contributing across the board in a 140-126 victory over the Utah Jazz at home.
In his season debut, James posted 11 points, 12 assists and three rebounds in 30 minutes, easing himself back into action while still producing the kind of all-round impact that has defined his two-decade career. Already the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, James surpassed Vince Carter’s previous record of 22 consecutive seasons, further cementing his place in basketball history. His two successful three-pointers also moved him past Reggie Miller into sixth on the league’s all-time three-pointers list.
Lakers teammate Luka Doncic praised James’ performance, noting how seamlessly he settled into the game despite the long layoff. “It’s been a long time since he played basketball, so I think for the first game back, he looked amazing,” Doncic said. “He’s going to keep getting his rhythm, and help us a lot.”
Doncic himself delivered a dominant display, finishing with a game-high 37 points along with 10 assists, five rebounds and four steals. His energy and shot-making propelled the Lakers throughout, while Austin Reaves added strong support with 26 points.
For the Jazz, Keyonte George and Lauri Markkanen kept the visitors competitive, scoring 34 and 31 points respectively, but their efforts ultimately fell short against a Lakers offense firing on all cylinders.
Tuesday’s win lifted the Lakers to fourth place in the Western Conference standings, a promising position considering the team has been without James until now. The Jazz, meanwhile, sit 10th, continuing to search for consistency as the season progresses.
As LeBron James enters his 23rd season—an unprecedented feat in NBA history—his longevity and continued ability to influence games remain as impressive as ever. For the Lakers, his return offers a significant boost as they look to build momentum in a crowded Western Conference, with James once again at the center of their ambitions.
