Imago
Credits: Imagn
Imago
Credits: Imagn
Los Angeles is hyped right now. The Lakers have LeBron James back in the lineup to become the first NBA player to enter his 23rd season. Utah Jazz are the first team to deal with Bron on an agenda when they arrive at Crypto.com Arena. But they’re not to be underestimated either. Jazz is armed with Lauri Markkanen who just outscored Luka Doncic’s season-high with an astounding 47 points. All speculation about Bron fitting in and Luka’s minutes getting shaved were groundless. The Lakers’ chemistry shone in a 140-125 win over the Jazz and King James started year 23 with a win.
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Los Angeles Lakers vs Utah Jazz player stats
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Los Angeles Lakers
| PLAYER | PTS | FG | 3PT | FT | REB | AST | TO | STL | BLK | PF | MIN | +/- |
| STARTERS | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
| LeBron James#23 | 11 | 4-7 | 2-3 | 1-4 | 3 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 30 | +1 |
| Rui Hachimura#28 | 6 | 3-8 | 0-2 | 0-0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 26 | +14 |
| Deandre Ayton#5 | 20 | 10-13 | 0-0 | 0-2 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 30 | +11 |
| Luka Doncic#77 | 37 | 11-22 | 2-10 | 13-16 | 5 | 10 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 34 | +10 |
| Austin Reaves#15 | 26 | 7-11 | 1-4 | 11-12 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 33 | +10 |
| BENCH | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
| Maxi Kleber#14 | 0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -5 |
| Jake LaRavia#12 | 16 | 6-10 | 2-5 | 2-3 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 26 | +13 |
| Dalton Knecht#4 | 0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -6 |
| Adou Thiero#1 | 2 | 1-1 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | -6 |
| Jaxson Hayes#11 | 8 | 3-3 | 0-0 | 2-3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 15 | +13 |
| Marcus Smart#36 | 5 | 2-5 | 1-4 | 0-0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 17 | +11 |
| Gabe Vincent#7 | 6 | 2-3 | 2-3 | 0-0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 16 | +15 |
| Bronny James#9 | 3 | 1-1 | 1-1 | 0-0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | -6 |
| Jarred Vanderbilt#2 | DNP | |||||||||||
| TEAM TOTAL | 140 | 50-84 | 11-32 | 29-40 | 41 | 30 | 17 | 9 | 1 | 21 |
Utah Jazz
| PLAYER | PTS | FG | 3PT | FT | REB | AST | TO | STL | BLK | PF | MIN | +/- |
| STARTERS | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
| Lauri Markkanen#23 | 31 | 12-21 | 3-9 | 4-4 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 32 | -6 |
| Jusuf Nurkic#30 | 10 | 4-5 | 0-1 | 2-2 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 29 | -13 |
| Svi Mykhailiuk#10 | 13 | 5-7 | 3-5 | 0-0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 25 | -5 |
| Keyonte George#3 | 34 | 13-23 | 5-13 | 3-3 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 35 | -9 |
| Ace Bailey#19 | 13 | 6-12 | 1-6 | 0-0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 23 | +6 |
| BENCH | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
| Kevin Love#42 | 0 | 0-2 | 0-2 | 0-0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 14 | -8 |
| Kyle Anderson#2 | 5 | 2-5 | 0-0 | 1-2 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 20 | +3 |
| Cody Williams#5 | 4 | 2-5 | 0-3 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 21 | -14 |
| Brice Sensabaugh#28 | 3 | 1-6 | 1-6 | 0-0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 17 | -16 |
| Elijah Harkless#16 | 4 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 4-4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | +5 |
| Isaiah Collier#8 | 9 | 3-6 | 0-0 | 3-3 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 21 | -13 |
| Walter Clayton Jr.#13 | 0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Taylor Hendricks#0 | DNP | |||||||||||
| TEAM TOTAL | 126 | 48-92 | 13-45 | 17-18 | 33 | 32 | 18 | 13 | 2 | 30 |
Lakers vs Jazz: Game summary and key moments
For the first time in NBA history a player is in their 23rd season. LeBron James is finally back in the Lakers lineup after sciatica made him miss 14 games of the season opener for the first time in his career. James was listed as questionable prior to this game but apparently was not on restricted minutes.
He started the game and was paced out across 30 minutes. He finished the game with his first double-double of 2025-26, 11 points and 12 assists, upturning the odds that he’d not score double digits on his first day back. He also hit another career milestone. His only two three-pointers this game moved him to the sixth spot in the all-time list of 3-pointers made, surpassing Reggie Miller in that spot.
His son had some meaningful minutes too. Bronny played about 5 minutes where he made a single three. But it was a three from downtown that made LeBron stand up from the bench and strut around like a proud dad.
There was also the fear that Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves would take a backseat to him. Those who were vibing with their chemistry were not disappointed. Doncic had a game-high 37 and AR had 26. The Lakers took an early lead with Doncic scoring 17 in the first quarter.
The Jazz had a slower start before finding their groove. Keyonte George scored his second 33 points of the season. Lauri Markkanen had 31 points.
The Lakers turnover problem still persisted. They had 18 to the Jazz’s 17, but gave up 22 points through it. LA also lost the rebounding contest despite Deandre Ayton making a game-high 14 rebounds. With 20 points and 10-13 shooting, the center who filled James’ void didn’t lose minutes either.
James can now take another break till they meet the Jazz again on Sunday. The Jazz though will contend against OKC on Friday before that.
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