Tonight’s matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Utah Jazz was already set to be a milestone moment, especially since LeBron James was making his season debut after missing the beginning of the season for the first time in his career. The 41-year-old had been sidelined due to sciatica but made a solid return to basketball, posting a double-double while continuing his long-standing streak of scoring at least 10 points in a game. After the game, however, Deandre Ayton revealed an interesting fact that might remind the 23-season veteran of the passage of time.

A reporter began the conversation, pointing out that Ayton was just five when LeBron James played his first NBA game. Ayton pointed out how it doesn’t feel like James is as old as he is, saying, “He don’t make it seem like that. Running next to him and he running fast as me down the floor, you don’t think that it’s his 23rd year, you know? The dude was a machine.”

However, no one could’ve seen what he said next coming. Ayton continued, “I was just telling him a fun fact. He threw me an alley-oop [tonight]. I said, ‘That’s my second alley-oop from you. The first one was when I was in eighth grade at your camp.’ So, yeah, it was kind of crazy seeing all that.” The room erupted in laughter.

Bron’s reaction was even funnier: “He laughed. He asked me when it was.” This was back in 2014, when Ayton was in eighth grade, visiting a LeBron James camp. Ayon explained, “It was the LeBron James camp in Las Vegas. You know, I remember the play and everything. He was court hopping, and he was playing with the campers, and I remember the one play of him in the drill with me. And he threw that alley. When I finished it, I couldn’t believe he threw it.”

Ayton’s words caught everyone’s attention, and a picture of him with LeBron, part of the Miami Heat back then, quickly circulated online. James recorded 11 points and 12 assists, on extremely efficient shooting, and recorded half of his assists in the fourth quarter, including a no-look dime to Ayton for a rim-rattling dunk. Ayton pointed to James’ leadership, saying, “I’m really glad us as a young team… we went through some tough games and a little adversity… It made us prepared for times like this, where he says one thing and we get it done right away.”

How the Los Angeles Lakers Flipped Everything After Halftime Against the Utah Jazz

The turning point for the Los Angeles Lakers arrives in a wave. The Utah Jazz controlled the entire first half tonight, dictating the pace while shooting lights out from beyond the arc, stacking an early lead. However, as soon as the third quarter opened, something snapped into place. LA looked much faster, sharper, and more connected, as if the previous 24 minutes had been a warmup.

Everything revolved around Luka Doncic during the game. His impressive 17-point performance in the third quarter was a decisive moment that shifted the game’s momentum, culminating in a layup that gave the Lakers their first lead at 89-88. Doncic also sparked an 8-0 run that resulted in a significant scoring advantage for the quarter, 37-22, leaving Utah unable to slow down the onslaught.

LeBron James found his rhythm in the fourth quarter, bringing a sense of calm to the game. After a long wait to see him in action, the Lakers’ offense looked fluid, with better spacing. Meanwhile, Utah’s Keyonte George and Lauri Markkanen did their best, combining for a total of 65 points. However, Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Deandre Ayton surpassed them with a combined 83 points, ultimately sinking Utah in the final stretch for a 140-126 victory. The Lakers now have a brief break before facing the Jazz again on Sunday.

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