In the Lakers' victory over the Jazz, LeBron James made outstanding plays to start his record 23rd NBA season.

On Tuesday, November 18, 2025, in Los Angeles, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts to a three-point basket made by guard Gabe Vincent during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz.

Los Angeles Even though his aching lungs told him otherwise, LeBron James didn't appear to have been gone from an NBA court for almost seven months as he started his historic 23rd season on Tuesday night.

James was not at all shocked to return from his protracted injury sabbatical by blending in perfectly with the Los Angeles Lakers in yet another triumph after hitting yet another milestone in what is now officially the longest career in league history.

James began his new season with an outstanding playmaking performance in the Lakers' 140-126 victory over the Utah Jazz, scoring 11 points, dishing out 12 assists, and grabbing three rebounds while beginning and playing 29 minutes.

James remarked, "I was pleased with the way I was able to go with the guys, but the pace tested me." "My wind improved significantly as the game progressed. I caught both my second and third winds. Clearly, rhythm is still returning. Everything that transpired tonight had to be expected because it was the first game in nearly seven months.

This is due to the fact that not much can surprise James at this stage of his basketball career, not even the effort required to recover from injuries.

James, 40, missed the preseason and the Lakers' first 14 games of the regular season due to sciatica, which had kept him out since the beginning of training camp. Before taking part in his first Lakers practice of the new season on Monday, James, who has never missed a season opener since he began playing organized basketball thirty years ago, resumed contact basketball activities last week.

James became aware that some fans questioned if the Lakers, who had a 10-4 start without him, would be affected by his presence. All the four-time NBA champion could do was chuckle.

James remarked, "I can fit in with anybody." "I have no idea why it was even a question. What's wrong with these folks? I can immediately blend in with anyone. As I watched the club's first 14 games, I mentally positioned myself to see how I might support the team and succeed in doing so. When I hold the ball or am driving it, I can still attract a lot of attention.

James will start for the 1,561st time in his 1,563rd regular-season games, the team announced about half an hour before tipoff. When he was named first in the Lakers' starting lineup, he received a thunderous applause.

James didn't score in his first eleven minutes on the floor, but he quickly established a rhythm. He finished the second half with eight assists, including six in just over three minutes early in the fourth quarter, after making two 3-pointers.

During his first opportunity to participate in a game with his new teammate, Deandre Ayton was clearly amazed by James' passing. The alley-oop throw he threw down for a dunk was actually the second lob he had ever gotten from James, according to the Lakers' new center. The first was during James' basketball camp in Las Vegas when Ayton, who would go on to be selected first overall, was in the eighth grade.

James, according to Lakers coach JJ Redick, "played with the right spirit." "Very selfless the entire evening. was willing to pass. didn't push it. When they were there, he took his drives and his shots. He made a lot of excellent choices tonight, and I think the defense will pay attention to him. It's wonderful to have him back.

Although James admitted on Monday that his body isn't in optimal game shape, he was excited to begin his most recent significant accomplishment in a distinguished career. James' fitness also impressed Redick, who stated that if the Lakers hadn't already fled Utah, he could have played more minutes.

Redick, who spent 15 NBA seasons, stated, "LeBron is a superhero for a lot of us that played with him or some of these guys that grew up watching him." "Only a few guys have been able to accomplish what he has in this game."

James is the first player in NBA history to play in 23 seasons.

Five players have survived 21 seasons: Robert Parish, Kevin Willis, Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki, and 40-year-old Chris Paul, who now plays for the Los Angeles Clippers. Vince Carter played in 22 seasons during a career that ended in 2020. Kyle Lowry, a guard for Philadelphia, is in his twentieth season.

James is now only 48 games behind Parish's NBA record for regular-season games played (1,611) after this debut. In addition to holding the record for the most minutes played overall, James already holds another NBA record with 1,855 regular-season and postseason games combined, which is 58 more than Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

James has stated time and time again that he doesn't think this season will be his last, but he hasn't made up his mind about playing for another season. His most recent offseason was marred by injuries. He had to recuperate for two months after spraining his knee ligament during the Lakers' first-round playoff loss to Minnesota, which was followed by that excruciating episode of sciatica, which causes pain in the nerves that runs from the buttocks down the back of the legs.

In February 2023, James surpassed all previous NBA scorers. He became the first NBA player to score 50,000 points in both the regular season and the postseason last March.

Along with four league MVP honors and 21 All-Star selections, James is a four-time NBA Finals MVP. One year before to the birth of his eldest son and current Lakers teammate, Bronny James, he started his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers in October 2003.

In 2020, James guided the Lakers to their 17th championship in the Florida bubble. After acquiring Luka Doncic, James' self-described favorite contemporary player, close to midseason, Los Angeles won the Pacific Division title last spring and advanced to the Western Conference finals once more in 2023.

Los Angeles won't play again until Sunday, this time at Salt Lake City against the Jazz. Before then, the Lakers will have at least two sessions, which will give James more time to develop his rapport and his job.

James remarked, "I don't have to worry about chemistry." "This group is fantastic. Everyone likes spending time together, making sacrifices for one another, and playing games together. I only need to regain my rhythm and wind. Tonight, I failed to make a few chippies that I usually make. However, that will eventually happen.