Liputan6.com, Jakarta NBA superstar LeBron James finally returned to the court for the Los Angeles Lakers, marking his 23rd season debut in his stellar career.
The highly anticipated game took place on Tuesday night, November 18, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, where the Lakers hosted the Utah Jazz.
Advertisement
James' return was a major highlight after he missed the first 14 games of the 2025-2026 season due to injury.
His presence immediately made a significant impact, helping the Lakers to a convincing victory over the Jazz.
His 23rd Season Debut and Injury Conditions
LeBron James embarked on a record-breaking 23rd NBA season, a feat no other player has ever achieved in league history.
However, his journey to this debut wasn't smooth, as he was sidelined early in the season.
James was diagnosed with sciatica in his right back in early October, which caused him to miss the preseason and the Lakers' first 14 regular-season games.
Before his return, James underwent intensive rehabilitation, including an assignment to the G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers.
He also returned to full-contact basketball a week before his debut and participated in his first team practice on Monday.
While acknowledging that his body wasn't yet in optimal playing condition, James displayed a strong spirit and determination to quickly return to competition and contribute his best to the team.
Brilliant Performance on the Court
In his debut against the Utah Jazz, LeBron James put on an impressive performance, leading the Lakers to a 140-125 victory.
He played for 29 minutes and 37 seconds, scoring 11 points and dishing out 12 assists, showcasing his exceptional playmaking ability.
His shooting efficiency was also commendable, with 4-of-7 shooting from the field and 2-of-3 three-pointers.
One of the key moments was when James hit a three-pointer that moved him past Reggie Miller (2,560) for sixth place on the NBA's all-time regular season three-pointer scoring list.
In addition to James' contributions, Luka Doncic also had a dominant performance in the game.
Doncic had 37 points, 10 assists, and five rebounds, becoming the Lakers' unstoppable offensive force.
Lakers in the 2025-2026 Season
Before LeBron James' return, the Los Angeles Lakers had shown a solid start to the 2025-2026 season.
The team had a 10-4 record and finished fourth in the Western Conference.
This season also marks LeBron James' eighth season with the Los Angeles Lakers, making it his longest tenure with a single team in his career.
This demonstrates his commitment and dedication to the Lakers franchise.
In the previous season, 2024-2025, James averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds in 70 games.