LeBron James made history Tuesday, becoming the first player to span 23 NBA seasons, facing seven Utah Jazz players who weren’t even born when he debuted.
“That just made my back hurt,” the 40-year-old Los Angeles Laker joked to reporters when told the stat, surpassing Vince Carter’s 22 seasons.
Five other players have played 21 seasons, including Robert Parish, Kevin Willis, Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki, and Chris Paul. James is now 48 games shy of Robert Parish’s record of 1,611 regular-season games.
Despite admitting his lungs were “burning,” the Akron, Ohio, native set the NBA’s career-length record, playing 29 minutes and posting 11 points, 12 assists, and three rebounds in the Lakers’ 140-126 win over the Jazz.
Tuesday also marked James’ return to the court after a nearly seven-month absence due to sciatica, which sidelined him at the start of training camp. The four-time NBA champion missed the entire preseason and the Lakers’ first 14 regular-season games.
New Lakers center Deandre Ayton was also impressed with James’ performance, recalling that an alley-oop he received for a dunk was only the second lob from James he’d ever caught.
“I was just telling him a fun fact. I said, ‘That’s my second alley for me from you, the first one was when I was in eighth grade at your camp,’” Ayton told the media.
James, who had previously never missed a season opener in his nearly three-decade career, returned to basketball last week, practicing with the Lakers for the first time Monday.
“The pace tested me, but I was happy with the way I was able to go with the guys,” James commented after the game.
“As the game went on, my wind got a lot better. Caught my second wind, caught my third wind. Rhythm is still coming back, obviously. First game in almost seven months, so everything that happened tonight was to be expected.”
Some observers had questioned whether James’s return might disrupt a Lakers side that had started strongly with a 10-4 record in his absence. James dismissed such notions with a laugh.
“I can fit in with anybody,” he asserted. “I don’t even understand why that was even a question. What’s wrong with these people out here? I can fit in right away with anybody.
“Just watching the guys the first 14 games, I was putting myself (mentally) in position while I was watching the games of how I could help the team and how I could be successful to help those guys. I’m still able to gain a lot of eyes when I’m driving the ball or have the ball.”
Approximately 30 minutes before tip-off, the team confirmed James would make his 1,561st start in his 1,563rd regular-season game, receiving a loud ovation when announced in the Lakers’ starting line-up.
Though he didn’t score in his first 11 minutes, James soon found his stride, hitting two three-pointers in the second quarter and dishing out eight assists in the second half, including six in just over three minutes early in the fourth quarter.
Lakers coach JJ Redick praised James’s unselfishness: “He played with the right spirit. Very unselfish all night. Was a willing passer. Didn’t force it. Took his drives and his shots when they were there. The defence is going to pay attention to him, and I just thought he made a lot of great decisions tonight. Really great to have him back.”
James already holds the NBA record for combined regular-season and playoff games (1,855) and most total minutes played.
James became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer in February 2023 and, last March, was the first player to accumulate 50,000 total points in the regular season and playoffs combined.
His illustrious career, which began with the Cleveland Cavaliers in October 2003, includes four NBA Finals MVP awards, four league MVP awards, and 21 All-Star selections.
He led the Lakers to their 17th championship in 2020 and saw them reach the Western Conference finals in 2023, winning the Pacific Division title last spring after acquiring Luka Doncic, whom James describes as his favourite current player.
Despite admitting his body isn’t yet in ideal game shape, James remains eager to continue his career.
He has repeatedly stated he isn’t assuming this will be his last season, though he hasn’t decided on playing another year.
His most recent off-season was plagued by injuries, including two months of recovery after spraining his knee ligament during the Lakers’ first-round playoff loss to Minnesota, followed by the painful bout of sciatica.
The Lakers’ next fixture is on Sunday, again against the Jazz in Salt Lake City. With at least two practices scheduled before then, James will have further opportunities to establish his chemistry and role within the team.
“I don’t have to worry about chemistry,” James affirmed. “This is a great group. Everyone enjoys being around each another, sacrificing for one another, playing for one another. (Just got to) get my wind, get my rhythm back.
“Missed a couple of chippies tonight that I’m used to making. But that will come around.”
