LeBron James marked his long-awaited return to the court with yet another historic milestone, becoming the first player in NBA history to participate in 23 consecutive seasons. The 40-year-old superstar, who had missed the Los Angeles Lakers’ opening 14 games due to sciatica, made an immediate impact in Tuesday’s 140–126 home victory over the Utah Jazz.
Despite the long stretch away from competitive action, James delivered a well-rounded performance, finishing with 11 points, 12 assists, and three rebounds in 30 minutes. His return wasn’t just symbolic — it was influential, fluid, and a reminder of the longevity and basketball IQ that have defined his two-decade career.
In breaking Vince Carter’s previous record of 22 straight seasons, James added yet another landmark to a résumé already overflowing with them. The NBA’s all-time leading scorer also climbed another rung in league history, knocking down two three-pointers to pass Reggie Miller and move into sixth place on the all-time three-pointers made list. For a player who entered the league without a strong perimeter game, this evolution has become one of the more remarkable aspects of his legacy.
His teammate Luka Dončić, who led the Lakers with a game-high 37 points, praised James’ sharpness 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,” Dončić said. “He’s going to keep getting his rhythm and help us a lot.”
Dončić put together another standout two-way showing, adding 10 assists, five rebounds, and four steals, orchestrating the Lakers’ offense while applying pressure on the defensive end. Austin Reaves also contributed significantly with 26 points, providing the scoring burst the Lakers needed to maintain control throughout the game.
For Utah, Keyonte George and Lauri Markkanen were bright spots, scoring 34 and 31 points respectively. Their efforts kept the Jazz competitive, but the Lakers’ depth and execution ultimately proved too much.
With the win, the Lakers move to fourth place in the Western Conference, continuing to build momentum as James reintegrates into the lineup. Utah, now sitting tenth, finds itself fighting to gain traction in a tightly packed conference race.
For LeBron James, however, the night meant something more profound than stats or standings. It was a statement of endurance, adaptability, and the rare ability to redefine greatness at every stage of a career. Twenty-three seasons in, he is still adding to his legend, and doing so with a command and confidence that few athletes in history have ever sustained.
