LeBron returns to Lakers but what’s his role?
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Editor’s note: Follow LeBron James’ season debut with our live blog, here.
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is making his NBA season debut Tuesday, Nov. 18, against the Utah Jazz.
James has yet to play this season as he recovered from sciatica. He practiced for the first time with the Lakers on Monday, Nov. 17 after spending the past week working with their G League affiliate. It was his first time participating in an NBA-organized 5-on-5 situation since the first round of the 2024-25 playoffs in April, and he didn’t appear to have any setbacks.
The four-time NBA MVP was listed as questionable on the Lakers’ injury report, but according to earlier reporting from ESPN, James “wants to make his season debut tonight at home against the Utah Jazz.” ESPN added that “James will go through his normal pre-game routine on game day, that means his pre-game nap and his pre-game on-court workout before a final determination is made.”
When James does take the court for his first game, he will become the first player to play in 23 NBA seasons, breaking the tie he currently holds with Hall of Fame guard Vince Carter.
The Lakers have managed to overcome several early injuries through the first 14 games, posting a 10-4 record. The team currently sits fourth in the Western Conference standings.
The Lakers were 4-0 on the road to start the season, but the recent five-game road trip provided a mixed bag of results. The Lakers lost two of the first three road games but won back-to-back games against the New Orleans Pelicans and the Milwaukee Bucks to end the week.
How to watch Lakers vs. JazzDate: Nov. 18Time: 10:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. PT)Location: Crypto.com Arena in Los AngelesStreaming: NBA League PassLocal TV: KJZZ-TV (Utah), Spectrum Sports Net (Los Angeles)