Basketball legend LeBron James has officially begun his unprecedented 23rd NBA season in spectacular fashion, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a commanding 140-126 victory over the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night.
Historic Return After Injury Layoff
The 40-year-old superstar made his long-awaited return to the court after being sidelined for nearly seven months with sciatica, which had kept him out of training camp and the Lakers' first 14 regular-season games. James recorded an impressive double-double with 11 points and 12 assists, adding three rebounds during his 29 minutes of play.
Despite the lengthy absence, James showed no signs of rust in his playmaking abilities, particularly shining in the second half where he dished out eight assists - including six in just over three minutes during the fourth quarter.
Fitting Back Into Winning Formula
James acknowledged that some had questioned whether his return might disrupt the Lakers' momentum, given the team's strong 10-4 start without him. The four-time NBA champion responded with characteristic confidence, stating: "I can fit in with anybody. I don't even understand why that was even a question. What's wrong with these people out here?"
Lakers coach JJ Redick praised James' immediate impact, noting his unselfish play and decision-making throughout the game. "He played with the right spirit," Redick said. "Very unselfish all night. Was a willing passer. Didn't force it. The defense is going to pay attention to him, and I just thought he made a lot of great decisions tonight."
Breaking Records and Setting New Standards
With this season debut, James has now achieved several remarkable milestones:
- First player in NBA history to participate in 23 seasons
- Just 48 games away from surpassing Robert Parish's record of 1,611 regular-season games
- Already holds the record for most combined regular-season and playoff games (1,855)
- Leads all players in total minutes played
The achievement places him ahead of Vince Carter's 22 seasons and puts him in a class of his own in terms of longevity at the highest level of basketball.
James received a loud ovation when announced in the starting lineup for the 1,561st time in his 1,563rd regular-season game. Though he didn't score in his first 11 minutes, he quickly found his rhythm and connected on two three-pointers in the second quarter.
The Lakers' next game against the Jazz in Salt Lake City on Sunday will give James additional opportunity to build his fitness and rhythm with the team. As the superstar himself noted: "I don't have to worry about chemistry. This is a great group. Everyone enjoys being around each another, sacrificing for one another, playing for one another."
