The Utah Jazz have probably been losing sleep over this one. Sitting at the 10th seed with a 5-8 record, they definitely don’t want another loss slapped on their résumé. But if it happens tonight, it could go down as that loss: ‘LeBron James embarrasses Utah Jazz in his historic 23rd season debut.’ Then again, headlines are fickle; if Utah pulls off the upset and the Lakers stumble, the story could read totally differently. For now, though, the Lakers are feeling confident. With LeBron leading the charge, they’re aiming to boost their record to a neat 11-4. 

As historic as LeBron’s 23rd season is set to be, he’s already making headlines before stepping on the court. Full Court Press initially shared the news: “For the first time in NBA history, a father replaces his son in the starting lineup.” It sounds almost too funny to be true, but it is; LeBron James will be starting against the Jazz, taking the spot that Bronny James held on Saturday versus the Bucks.

Bronny’s performance in that game wasn’t exactly memorable; he scored zero points, and now, naturally, all eyes are on LeBron to see if he’ll replace that number in true King fashion. Last season, he averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds. 

When Bronny James got the start for the Lakers, Austin Reaves couldn’t resist cracking a joke: “How about Bronny James starting in the NBA and LeBron’s assigned to the G League?” On the surface, it was just a playful nod to the weirdness of the moment but read between the lines, and it might have been hinting at a couple of things. Maybe, just maybe, he wouldn’t mind LeBron staying in the G League a bit longer so he could soak up all those coveted minutes he’s been enjoying in the King’s absence, because we all know who will have the ultimate dominance over the ball. 

And as predicted, since LeBron James is back in the starting lineup for the Lakers against the Jazz, along with Rui Hachimura, Doncic, AR, and Ayton, the NBA world is buzzing about what that means for the team. Paul Pierce had already warned Luka Doncic for what could happen: “Bron’s gravitational pull is too strong. When he out there, he going to command so much. He got to have a big part of the offense, and it’s going to take away from what they doing right now.”

Luka and Austin Reaves have been shouldering the load in LeBron’s absence, averaging stellar numbers: Luka posting 34.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 8.9 assists, while Reaves has been putting up 28.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 8.2 assists. But with LeBron back, the dynamics are bound to shift.

Even Shaquille O’Neal chimed in on Reaves’ predicament: “I kind of feel for Austin cuz he he looks good. He’s playing good. But when when LeBron when when they have their full team come back, he’s going to be reverted back to standing in the corner taking last second.”

So what’s the move? The Lakers could have Luka and Reaves ease up and let LeBron take center stage, or they might entertain Pierce’s daring idea: “For this to work, like when LeBron comes back, LeBron got to come off the bench.” How playing time gets divvied up between LeBron, Reaves, and Luka, who’ve been running the show flawlessly in his absence, is shaping up to be the season’s most intriguing subplot. For now, though, fans can sit back, relax, and simply enjoy the King striding back onto the court.

LeBron James readies for season debut against Jazz

Shams Charania was the bearer of exciting news for Lakers fans: “Sources tell me that LeBron is aiming to make his season debut at home against the Utah Jazz. I’m informed that he will go through his usual pregame routine on game day.” After missing the first 14 games while rehabbing a stubborn sciatica nerve, the King is ready to return and extend his historic career. At 40, he’s poised to become the first player ever to play a 23rd NBA season, breaking the tie with Hall of Famer Vince Carter.

Monday’s practice offered the first real glimpse of LeBron back in full action with the Lakers. He joined teammates like Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves for a 5-on-5 scrimmage, while head coach JJ Redick treated the session as a fresh start, jokingly introducing LeBron as a “new player” to the team. “My lungs felt like a newborn baby. I gotta get my lungs back to a grown man and my voice is already gone,” LeBron said afterward. “It feels good, feels good to be out here with the guys.”

Though eager, he remained cautious, keeping a close eye on how his body responded to the intensity. Listed as “questionable” for Tuesday’s matchup against the Jazz, he was under observation for 24 hours. But now, the body seems to have caught up with his spirit and here he is, ready to take the court.

LeBron didn’t wait for the main Lakers practice to get back into rhythm. Last week, he was already putting in work with the G-League squad, running through warm-up drills and some half-court 5-on-5. Coach JJ Redick called it a controlled but solid session, with James getting a dozen or so live possessions under his belt. And this wasn’t a lazy jog-around; ESPN sources called Wednesday’s session “intense.” By Thursday, LeBron felt zero pain and zero setbacks, making it clear he’s ready to return to full action.

LeBron’s absence so far this season is tied to the sciatica issue and lingering effects from a knee ligament sprain suffered in last year’s first-round playoff loss to the Timberwolves. “Not too long after that [in mid-June], I started to feel the [pain] in my hip and my back, things of that nature,” he explained.  “So everything kind of changed. My whole dynamic changed of how I was going to prepare for the season, but it’s all a blessing in disguise.” At 40, turning 41 next month, LeBron has been meticulously pacing himself to ensure his body holds up for the marathon of a 23rd season.