Lakers drop 140 points on Jazz as LeBron James starts NBA record 23rd season

Nick Wright joins Colin Cowherd to discuss the Green Bay Packers’ offensive struggles, the New York Giants firing Brian Daboll, and if the Los Angeles Lakers are no longer reliant on LeBron James.

The Los Angeles Lakers were scoring at will as LeBron James made his long-awaited season debut against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night.

James began an NBA record 23rd season after dealing with sciatica for the first few weeks of the year. He played 30 minutes and scored 11 points in the Lakers’ 140-129 victory. He added 12 assists and three rebounds to his statline.

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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) smiles before the tip-off during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

"The pace tested me, but I was happy with the way I was able to go with the guys," James said. "As the game went on, my wind got a lot better. Caught my second wind, caught my third wind. Rhythm is still coming back, obviously. First game in almost seven months, so everything that happened tonight was to be expected."

The 40-year-old James had been sidelined since the start of training camp and missed 14 games despite never missing a season opener since he started playing organized basketball. He was back at Lakers practice on Monday.

He made sure he was going to fit in with a team that came into Tuesday night’s game with a 10-4 record.

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Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) and forward LeBron James (23) celebrate after Hayes made a basket and drew a foul call against the Utah Jazz during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 18,