11/19/25 12:29:00
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11/19 00:28 CST LeBron James makes historic season debut, Luka Doncic scores 37
in Lakers' 140-126 win over Jazz
LeBron James makes historic season debut, Luka Doncic scores 37 in Lakers'
140-126 win over Jazz
By GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) --- LeBron James had 11 points and 12 assists in the first
game of his unprecedented 23rd NBA season, and Luka Doncic had 37 points and 10
assists in the Los Angeles Lakers' 140-126 victory over the Utah Jazz on
Tuesday night.
The 40-year-old James made his season debut in the Lakers' starting lineup and
played 30 minutes after missing training camp and their first 14 games due to
sciatica. Vince Carter is the only other player in NBA history to participate
in 22 seasons, but James passed him while opening the next chapter of a pro
career that began in 2003.
James didn't take long to find the flow: He put on a playmaking clinic in the
second half, and Doncic scored 17 points in the third quarter while the Lakers
pulled away from Utah.
Austin Reaves added 26 points as the Lakers improved to 11-4 with their third
straight victory.
Keyonte George, who was born 10 days after James' NBA debut, matched his season
high with 33 points for the Jazz two nights after hitting the winning 3-pointer
in a double-overtime thriller against Chicago.
Lauri Markkanen had 31 points for Utah, which has lost five of seven.
James didn't score in his first 11 minutes on the court, but his two 3-pointers
in the first half moved him past Reggie Miller for the sixth-most in NBA
history.
James made a driving layup in the third quarter to extend his streak of
double-digit scoring performances to a record 1,293 games --- every game in
which he has played since Jan. 6, 2007. The four-time NBA champion didn't score
again, but the Lakers moved comfortably ahead.
George scored 23 points and Markkanen had 22 in Utah's 71-point first half. The
Lakers took charge after halftime, closing the third on a 21-5 run.
Bronny James played the final 3:33 and hit a 3-pointer.
Up next
Jazz: Host Thunder on Friday.
Lakers: At Jazz on Sunday.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
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