LeBron James scored 11 points and had a game-high 12 assists in his 2025-26 season debut Tuesday evening as the Lakers defeated the Utah Jazz, 140-126, at Crypto.com Arena.
James had missed the Lakers’ first 14 games because of sciatica, which affects the lower back and down the side of the body.
The Lakers trailed 36-27 at the end of the first quarter and 71-67 at halftime. They outscored Utah, 21-5, to conclude the third quarter, taking a 104-93 lead, with Luka Doncic scoring 12 of his game-high 37 points.
The Lakers led by at least five and as many as 23 in the fourth quarter in front of a crowd announced at 18,997, the arena’s capacity.
Doncic and James were among the five Lakers to score in double figures. Austin Reeves added 26, Deandre Ayton 20 and a game-high 14 rebounds and Jake LaRavia added 16 off the bench.
Keyonte George scored 34 and Lauri Markkanen 31 to lead five players in double figures for the Jazz (5-9).
The Lakers made 50 of 84 shots, 59.5%, including 11 of 32 3-point shots, 34.4%. Utah made 48 of 92 shots, 52.2%, including 13 of 45 3-point shots, 28.9%.
The Lakers made 29 of 40 free throws, 72.5%, with Reaves making 11 of 12 and Doncic 13 of 16.
The Jazz made 17 of 18 free throws, 94.4%.
The Lakers out-rebounded Utah, 41-33.
The Lakers committed 17 turnovers which the Jazz converted into 20 points. Utah made 18 turnovers which the Lakers converted into 22 points.
The Lakers were 10-4 during James’ absence, their same record they had in their first 14 games last season.
The Lakers’ 17-player roster includes nine players who were with the team through 14 games last season. The biggest change since then was the Feb. 2 acquisition of Doncic from Dallas Mavericks in a three-team trade where center Anthony Davis was the key Laker sent to Dallas.
Doncic entered Tuesday’s play leading the NBA in scoring, averaging 34.4 points per game. The 6-foot-8 guard from Slovenia has scored 40 or more points in four of his 11 games.