LOS ANGELES — Lakers star LeBron James debuted this season in victory 140-126 over Utah Jazz They take the court Tuesday night to begin their league-record 23rd season.
James had 11 points, 12 assists and 3 rebounds in 30 minutes as the Lakers scored a season-high in points. He caught a break in the third quarter, extending his double-digit scoring streak to a career-high 1,293 games, all games he has played in since Jan. 6, 2007.
“Just thought he played with the right attitude. Very unselfish all night. Was a willing passer, didn't force it, used his shots and shots when they were there,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “Defenses are going to look at him, especially when he has the ball in the post, especially when he puts pressure on the rim, and I just thought he made a lot of good decisions tonight. It’s very good that he’s back.”
James, 40, was sidelined for the first 14 games of the season with sciatica, a nerve condition that affected his lower back and right side of his body.
“It was just fun being out there with the guys, man,” James said. “It was hard for me mentally. This is the first time I've started a basketball season and haven't played since I started playing basketball at about 9 years old, I've never missed the start of a basketball season.”
By starting against the Jazz, he became the first NBA player in history to play in 23 seasons, breaking a tie with Vince Carter.
It didn't take long for James to find his rhythm and he started making plays in the second half as the Lakers pulled away.
“He does what other people can't do. He's here to help us all,” he said. Luka Doncicscoring 37 points, including 17 in the third quarter, and making 10 assists.
James had eight assists in the second half, including six in just over three minutes early in the fourth quarter.
“After the game, we just waited for the guys to come back to the locker room. I think the word we used as a coaching staff reflected our balance as a group,” Redick said. “Don’t overreact, don’t get torn, solve problems and all that in real time and just keep playing. And last year sometimes this was not enough.”
James returned to practice with the Lakers on Monday, joining his teammates in his first 5-on-5 action with them since Los Angeles' first-round playoff exit against the Lakers. Minnesota Timberwolves in April.
James returned from a rehab assignment with the South Bay Lakers G League team last week while Los Angeles was on a five-game road trip and went through back-to-back days of practice without experiencing any lingering aches or pains.
“The pace tested me, but I was happy with how I handled the guys,” James said. “As the game went on, my wind got a lot better. Caught a second wind, caught a third. Apparently the rhythm is still coming back. First game in almost seven months, so everything that happened tonight was expected.”
James, already the NBA's all-time leading scorer, entered Tuesday with a 50-game deficit. Boston Celtics the great Robert Parish, who leads the all-time list in games played, is now 496 behind Jason Kidd for third on the all-time list.
Deandre Ayton was clearly impressed by James' passing during his first chance to play in the game alongside his new teammate. The new Lakers center noted that the pass he made for the dunk was actually the second shot he had ever received from James; the first was at James' basketball camp in Las Vegas when future No. 1 overall pick Ayton was in eighth grade.
James didn't score in his first 11 minutes on the court, but his two 3-pointers in the first half led him Indiana Pacers sharpshooter Reggie Miller is ranked sixth on the all-time list.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
