LeBron James returned to action in the Lakers’ starting lineup, helping secure a 140-126 win over the Utah Jazz Tuesday night.
At 40 years old, James made history by opening his unprecedented 23rd NBA season, surpassing Vince Carter, who played 22 seasons. He logged 30 minutes, recording 11 points and 12 assists, despite missing training camp and the Lakers’ first 14 games due to sciatica. James quickly found his rhythm in the second half, showing his playmaking skills as the Lakers pulled away from Utah.
Luka Doncic starred for Los Angeles, scoring 37 points and providing 10 assists, including 17 points in a dominant third quarter that helped the Lakers take control. Austin Reaves added 26 points, contributing to the Lakers’ third straight win, improving their record to 11-4.
For Utah, Keyonte George scored 33 points, matching his season high just two nights after hitting a game-winning 3-pointer in a double-overtime victory over Chicago. Lauri Markkanen added 31 points, but the Jazz have now lost five of their last seven games. Utah scored 71 points in the first half, with George and Markkanen combining for 45, but the Lakers’ 21-5 run late in the third quarter shifted momentum decisively.
James’ performance included milestone moments. He made two first-half 3-pointers, surpassing Reggie Miller for the sixth-most in NBA history, and extended his streak of consecutive double-digit scoring games to a record 1,293 games—a streak dating back to January 6, 2007. Though he didn’t score after the third quarter, his leadership and passing helped orchestrate the Lakers’ offense.
Bronny James, LeBron’s son, played the final 3:33 of the game and hit a 3-pointer, adding a memorable family moment to the historic night.
Looking ahead, the Lakers will face the Jazz again on Sunday, while Utah hosts the Thunder on Friday. Tuesday’s matchup marked both a personal milestone for LeBron James and a strong team performance for the Lakers, who demonstrated their depth and scoring power against a competitive Jazz squad.
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