Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James will take the floor with a new look when he makes his delayed 2025-26 season debut. The 20-time All-Star is set to wear an All-NBA patch on his uniform, recognizing his selection to the 2024-25 All-NBA Second Team.
NBA introduces one-game award patches
The league will place special patches on the jerseys of all players who earned major honors last season, according to ESPN’s Anthony Gharib. Icons representing MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year and membership on the All-NBA, All-Defensive or All-Rookie teams will be sewn above the Nike logo and worn only for each recipient’s first game of the new campaign.
Award patches will take precedence over team distinctions. For example, 2024-25 MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will sport only the MVP emblem despite also landing on the All-NBA First Team. In all, 35 players are scheduled to wear the commemorative badges.
After their single use, the game-worn uniforms will be auctioned through Sotheby’s, while each player will receive an additional patched jersey to keep.
James nearing historic 23rd season
James, 40, is managing right-side sciatica and is targeting a mid-November return. When he checks in, he will become the first player in NBA history to reach a 23rd season. Despite the extended layoff, his All-NBA status confirms he remains among the league’s top 15 performers.
Lakers open without James
The Lakers will begin the season against the Golden State Warriors without James, forward Adou Thiero and center Maxi Kleber. Head coach Darvin Ham is expected to start Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton and Gabe Vincent, with Jarred Vanderbilt, Marcus Smart, Jake LaRavia, Jaxson Hayes and Dalton Knecht anchoring the bench.
James’s patched jersey will remain on ice until his anticipated mid-November comeback.
Source: Lakers Nation
