LeBron James made his 2025-26 season debut Tuesday evening when the Lakers faced the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena after missing the first 14 games of the because of sciatica.
James was in the starting lineup, becoming the first player in NBA history to play in 23 seasons. Vince Carter is the only other player to play at least 22 seasons.
James was upgraded to available in the injury report released at 6:30 p.m. after being listed as questionable.
James participated in his first Lakers practice of the season Monday at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo after practicing at least twice last week with the team’s NBA G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers.
James said the most important thing was “getting my lungs back up to a grown man. My lungs feel like a newborn baby.”
The 40-year-old James also said “my voice is already gone one day back, barking out calls and assignments and stuff.”
For James, the condition is on his right side. Sciatica affects the lower back and down the side of the body. He said he also had it two years ago.
James is two 3-point baskets away from passing Reggie Miller to move into sixth on the all-time list.