LeBron James made his much-anticipated season debut for the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night in a home game against the Utah Jazz. Everything was rocky for the Lakers at first as the Jazz, particularly Keyonte George, seemingly could not miss from beyond the arc. But the Lakers righted the ship, with Luka Doncic essentially taking over the game in the third quarter, powering LA to a 140-125 win over Utah to give the their 11th victory of the season in 15 contests.
One play in the third quarter perfectly captures the rhythm the Lakers got into during a third quarter which they won by 15 points, 37-22. The play started with Doncic breaking down the Jazz defense on the dribble penetration. He kicked out the ball to an open Jake LaRavia, who then blew by an aggressive closeout from Brice Sensabaugh. LaRavia then kicked the ball out to an open Marcus Smart, who then decided to be unselfish and throw the ball to a relocating Doncic on the right corner.
The Lakers star then drilled the triple, giving LA a four-point lead that they would continue building from en route to a dominant victory over a plucky Jazz team.
Luka Doncic caps off a pass-heavy play for the Lakers with a corner pocket 3-ball 🎯pic.twitter.com/Oe2Fqn1jUq
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 19, 2025
James may not have been on the court for that play, but he might as well have been. What makes James such an easy player to fit on this Lakers roster is that he is one of the most unselfish players in the league and can keep the ball moving like it did on that marvelous play that encapsulates the Lakers' excellent Tuesday night.
Lakers' offense hums with LeBron James back
James is clearly not yet back to full strength, as he needs some more time to get back into game speed. But the Lakers star is a transformative presence whenever he's out on the court, even at 40 years of age. After Doncic ran riot against the Jazz defense in the third quarter, it was James' impressive playmaking (he finished with 12 dimes on the night) that pushed the game out of Utah's reach to start the fourth.
The Lakers continue to be one of the best teams in the association, and everything is going to get better for them still as James rounds into form.
