LeBron James Stats Tonight: Lakers Star Opens Record 23rd Year With Vintage Passing Masterclass in Win vs Jazz (Nov. 18)

LeBron James finally took the court for his long-awaited season debut with the LA Lakers on Tuesday, helping them take a 140-125 victory over the Utah Jazz. The night was historic for The King, who became the first player in NBA history to suit up in 23 consecutive seasons.

James struggled to get his shot to fall early on, but he settled in as the night went on. His first basket came in the second quarter when he knocked down a 3-pointer.

Throughout the game, he showcased his exceptional playmaking and recorded a double-double by early in the fourth quarter. During that period, James orchestrated a 16-2 run, contributing six assists to blow the game wide open.

Here are the numbers he put up in his return for the Lakers.

PLAYER	MIN	PTS	REB	AST	FGM	FGA	FG%	3PM	3PA	3P%	FTM	FTA	FT%	OREB	DREB	STL	BLK	TO	PF	=+/-
LeBron James	29:37	11	3	12	4	7	57.1	2	3	66.7	1	4	25.0	1	2	1	0	1	0	1

He attempted just seven shots and made four, including two of three from beyond the arc. He struggled from the free-throw line, hitting only 1 of 4, but his passing, with 12 assists against a single turnover, was the standout performance.

Prior to suiting up, LeBron James logged practice time with the Lakers’ G League affiliate last week and participated in his first full practice with the NBA squad on Monday. He had been sidelined since the preseason because of sciatica.

Lakers explode on offense as LeBron James puts on passing masterclass

LeBron James’ playmaking allowed multiple Lakers to shine offensively, demonstrating that he could integrate seamlessly into the team amid their early-season momentum.

Luka Doncic scored 37 points with 10 assists, five rebounds and four steals on 11-of-22 shooting, carrying a large portion of the offensive load while James focused on distributing the ball.

Austin Reaves added 26 points and five rebounds, though he and Doncic combined for 12 of the Lakers’ 17 turnovers.

Offseason acquisitions also impressed, with Deandre Ayton posting 20 points and 14 rebounds on 10-of-13 shooting and Jake LaRavia contributing 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting off the bench.

For Utah, Keyonte George led with 33 points on 22 shots, while Lauri Markkanen added 31 points.

The Lakers improved to 11-4 and are riding a three-game winning streak. Their next challenge is a rematch against the Jazz in Utah on Sunday, followed by a four-game homestand versus the Clippers, Mavericks, Pelicans and Suns. The matchups with the Clippers and Mavericks are NBA Cup games.