LeBron James continued redefining the boundaries of what’s possible last night. The Los Angeles Lakers star took the court at Crypto.com Arena and began his record-setting 23rd NBA season—more than any other player in league history—in a 140–126 win over the Utah Jazz. Until this game, he had shared the record with Vince Carter, but the moment he stepped onto the floor, he stood alone at the top, aged 40 and adding yet another unparalleled milestone to his legendary career. He finished the game with 12 assists, 11 points, and three rebounds in 30 minutes.
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Even before he touched the ball, the Lakers crowd gave James a standing ovation
(Photo: Reuters)
Even before he touched the ball, the Lakers crowd gave James a standing ovation as the announcer highlighted his historic achievement. Wearing his iconic number 23 jersey, LeBron responded with a slight bow and carried on into a game where Los Angeles started shakily, trailing by as much as 11 in the first quarter. Minutes later, he headed to the bench as part of a load-management strategy—the Lakers are easing him back into full game rhythm.
It was a notably late season debut. James missed the first 14 games of the season due to sciatica—a nerve condition radiating from the lower back down the leg—which kept him out of team practices since October. Coach JJ Redick explained it was a nerve irritation in the lumbar region that required prolonged treatment.
This entire period was clouded by speculation about LeBron's future. Retirement rumors swirled constantly, but in June, he silenced them by exercising his contract option for another season—his eighth with the Lakers—worth $52.6 million. Even last season, when he tied the previous record of 22 seasons, he put up superstar numbers: 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists in 70 games.
Ultimately, the Lakers narrowed the gap before halftime and secured the win with a massive third quarter, outscoring Utah 37–22. Luka Dončić exploded for 37 points and 10 rebounds, while Austin Reaves added 26, pushing the Lakers to an 11–4 record. On the other side, Keyonte George’s 34 points and Lauri Markkanen’s 31 weren’t enough for the Jazz.
The kid from Akron, Ohio—selected first overall in the 2003 Draft and entering the league at 18 amid unprecedented hype—continues writing new chapters in a story that’s already become a legend. Beyond career longevity records, he entered this season with 42,184 regular season points and over 50,000 across all competitions. Now he begins chapter 23, and he doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon.