Lakers beat Jazz in LeBron James’ season debut
The Los Angeles Lakers capped off their road-trip momentum with a powerful home victory on Tuesday night, defeating the Utah Jazz 140–126 in LeBron James’ long-awaited 2025–26 season debut, News.Az reports, citing foreign media.
James, returning after missing the first 14 games due to sciatica, made history by becoming the first NBA player to compete in 23 seasons.
Utah started strong, knocking down three early triples to build a quick double-digit lead at 16–6. James missed his first shot, and the Lakers were forced into an early timeout. Keyonte George powered the Jazz’s fast start, while Luka Dončić began settling the Lakers with timely buckets and free throws. Despite Jake LaRavia’s highlight dunk and corner three, L.A. trailed 36–27 after the first quarter.
Improved defense jump-started the Lakers in the second period, allowing Austin Reaves to attack the rim repeatedly. James scored his first points on a wing three before connecting with Deandre Ayton on a lob. Still, George’s continued hot shooting kept Utah ahead.
Dončić heated up again upon checking back in, finishing the first half with 20 points. Late threes from James and Reaves tied the game, but Lauri Markkanen answered with a four-point play to give Utah a 71–67 halftime lead.
Both teams remained sharp in the third, but the Lakers’ trio of Dončić, James, and Reaves eventually pushed L.A. ahead. Dončić took over the game with deep shooting and attacking drives, and James set up Gabe Vincent for a corner three at the buzzer to extend the lead to 104–93 entering the fourth.
James dominated early in the final quarter, creating easy looks for Ayton and LaRavia as the Lakers’ advantage ballooned to 20. From there, L.A. maintained control and sealed its third straight win, improving to 11–4 on the season.
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