Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James returned to action Tuesday night against the Utah Jazz, marking his first appearance of the 2025-26 campaign and making him the first player in NBA history to compete in 23 seasons.
James had missed the Lakers’ opening 14 games while managing sciatica on his right side. In his 30-minute outing at Crypto.com Arena, the 40-year-old recorded 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting, three rebounds and 12 assists as Los Angeles secured the victory.
Speaking with reporters afterward, James said he felt his conditioning improve as the game progressed. “My wind was a little shaky to begin, which was expected,” he noted. “As the game went on, I caught my second and third wind.” He added that game rhythm will “come with more games and more fun” after nearly seven months away from competition.
Focus on Conditioning
James emphasized that regaining full game shape is his primary objective. “My wind is important,” he said. “I don’t have to worry about chemistry — we’re a great group. It’s about getting my wind and rhythm back.” He acknowledged missing a few close-range shots he normally converts but expects improvement with additional playing time.
Recovery Plan
The Lakers do not play again until Sunday, giving James an extended recovery window. He outlined a schedule of rehabilitation on Wednesday followed by practices on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. “We’ll do what we need to do to keep it going and not overdo it,” he said. “This doesn’t happen much when you get three or four days between games, so we’ll take advantage.”
Emotional Return
James called the debut “fun” after starting a season sidelined for the first time in his life. “It’s been rough mentally,” he admitted. “Keeping my head down with the work and my head up with faith has gotten me to this point today.” He said being back on the floor brought “a lot of joy,” and teammates noticed him smiling and talking throughout the night.
Source: LakersNation.com
