Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James made a triumphant return to the court, leading his team to a decisive 140-125 victory against the Utah Jazz in his first game of the 2025-26 NBA season. The historic match took place on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 (Philippine Time) at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Record-Breaking Return After Injury
The four-time MVP, who officially began his record 23rd NBA season, contributed 11 points and 12 assists in his comeback game after recovering from sciatica. This injury had prevented the 40-year-old legend from participating in the Lakers' training camp prior to the season opener. James played a controlled 30 minutes during the contest, fewer than his usual court time.
Lakers' Offensive Firepower on Display
While James facilitated the offense, fellow Lakers superstar Luka Dončić exploded for 37 points and 10 assists to lead the scoring charge. The supporting cast delivered impressive performances with Austin Reaves adding 26 points, DeAndre Ayton contributing 20 points, and Jake LaRavia chipping in 16 points.
The Utah Jazz put up a strong fight behind Keyonte George's season-high 33 points and Lauri Markkanen's 31 points. After two quarters, the Jazz held a 71-67 lead, but the game turned dramatically in the third period.
Historic Milestones Achieved
James made NBA history during the game by surpassing legendary shooter Reggie Miller on the all-time three-pointers list. After going scoreless in his first 11 minutes of play, James hit two three-pointers that moved him into sixth place all-time with 2,561 career three-pointers, one more than Miller's previous record.
Another significant milestone came when James' driving layup in the third quarter extended his record consecutive double-digit scoring streak to 1,293 games, a remarkable consistency that began back on January 6, 2007.
The Lakers seized control of the game with a 21-5 run in the third quarter, transforming their four-point deficit into a commanding lead that they maintained throughout the remainder of the contest.
