By Rafael Bandayrel

 

LeBron James is finally back for the Los Angeles Lakers after sitting out the first three weeks of the 2025–26 NBA season. "The King" made his season debut count, helping the Lakers secure a 140-126 win over the Utah Jazz on November 19 (PH time).

 

It was unfamiliar territory for James, who entered an NBA campaign from the bench for the first time in his 23-year career. No other player in league history has even reached a 23rd season, making his return another milestone in an already unmatched résumé.

 

The Lakers held up well in his absence. Apart from a rough opener against Golden State, Los Angeles settled in and climbed to a strong 10-4 start behind the brilliance of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

 

With James finally back, the obvious question surfaced. Would his presence disrupt the rhythm built by Doncic? Would Reaves’ production take a hit? At least in the first game, none of those concerns showed up.

 

James finished with just 11 points but made his impact felt everywhere else.

 

His signature playmaking anchored the Lakers’ attack. He delivered pinpoint crosscourt passes to Jake LaRavia and Gabe Vincent for open looks and dropped a perfect lob to DeAndre Ayton for a highlight finish. By the end of the night, James had tallied 12 assists.

 

For Lakers fans hoping for a deep postseason push, this early showing should bring optimism. The sample size is small, but it already hints that James can fit smoothly into a team not entirely centered around him.

 

More importantly, it reflects a willingness to take a supporting role when needed, something that helps steady the conversation sparked by his pre-season comments.