LeBron James made his long-awaited season debut for the Lakers on Tuesday night, scoring 11 points and adding 12 assists in 30 minutes of action as Los Angles beat Utah, 140-126, to improve to 11-4.
James had missed the first 14 games of the year due to sciatica that was causing pain in his lower back and down right side of his body. He made more NBA history just by taking the floor against the Jazz as he became the first player in the league to ever play 23 seasons.
While James was happy to finally be back on the court and making plays, one of his best moments of the night came in the locker room after the game when he had a priceless line about his son, Bronny James, who scored three points in the win.
When asked about Bronny's development in his second NBA season, LeBron said his son is enjoying the process but the 21-year-old has moved out of his dad's house and they don't hang out as much as they used to.
"He's not a resident anymore so we don't talk as much, he has his own place," LeBron said with a laugh before looking over at Bronny in the locker room and saying, "Bronny how are you!?"
Here's that moment:
Lebron on Bronny:
"I think he's enjoying the process, I think you can obviously ask him more than me. He's not a resident anymore so we don't talk as much, he has his own place" π pic.twitter.com/u9s2vJ4bbr
β Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) November 19, 2025
As for LeBron, he looked very good against the Jazz. He hit four of his seven shots and set up his teammates for a number of good looks in the win.
Here are some of his highlights:
LeBron James made his NBA-record 23rd season debut tonight!
π 11 PTS
π 12 AST
π @Lakers W pic.twitter.com/LkuBu0TkHH
β NBA (@NBA) November 19, 2025
Fans loved his line about Bronny moving out:
100% calling my future kids βresidentsβ https://t.co/1sI81OxxMJ
β McDreamy (@grandpachann) November 19, 2025
i love this π https://t.co/V7O5OgcM6d
β Isaiah Magwood π« (@mags1of1) November 19, 2025
Kids grow up so fast! π https://t.co/3a9yFwUSru
β -OAD's -B.W. (@OADSBW) November 19, 2025
lol this is hilarious π https://t.co/DZOs4Jk5V5
β BE (@Brandon_expo_) November 19, 2025
This is how my Pops was when I got my 1st apt lol https://t.co/aMuyEs4Eu7
β Wavynomics (@bruhjaa405) November 19, 2025
Not he gotta see and talk to Bronny only at work now πππ https://t.co/2KJsHbDX2V
β Me, Wham & Savage (@JulyJezebel) November 19, 2025
LeBron will have a few days to get some rest as the Lakers don't play again until Sunday when they face the Jazz again in Utah.
Hopefully that gives Bronny some time to go over to his old place and hang out with his dad away from the office. You'd have to think LeBron would love that.
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