“Made my back hurt”: LeBron James on making NBA history by playing 23 seasons

The Los Angeles Lakers have opened the 2025–26 NBA season in impressive form, posting an 11–4 record to sit fourth in the Western Conference standings.

Their strong start continued on Wednesday, November 19 (Philippine Standard Time), as they defeated the Utah Jazz 140–126 at Crypto.com Arena. The game marked the long-awaited season debut of superstar LeBron James, who returned after a sciatica-related illness and showed little sign of rust.

James logged roughly 30 minutes, finishing with 11 points, three rebounds, and 12 assists. The four-time NBA champion also made league history, becoming the first player ever to play 23 seasons in the NBA.

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Remarkably, James’ career has now lasted longer than the lifetimes of seven current Jazz players. Asked about his unprecedented longevity, the 40-year-old admitted he doesn’t often stop to reflect on milestones.

LeBron James made his NBA-record 23rd season debut tonight!

👑 11 PTS
👑 12 AST
👑 @Lakers W pic.twitter.com/LkuBu0TkHH

— NBA (@NBA) November 19, 2025

“No, not really. I haven’t been able to do that throughout my whole career. I think it’s something that I would really enjoy once I’m done, to be able to look back and see some of the things I accomplished, with the group of guys I was around,” James said.

“I can sit back and think about what you said as far as seven guys not being born when I started this journey. And, yeah, that just made my back hurt. I got a few days before we play again, so I will be okay,” he added with a laugh.

James made his NBA debut on October 29, 2003. The seven Jazz players younger than his entire career are Keyonte George, Ace Bailey, Kyle Filipowski, Brice Sensabaugh, Taylor Hendricks, Cody Williams, and Isaiah Collier. Three Lakers teammates—his son Bronny James, rookie Adou Thiero, and Nick Smith Jr.—are also younger than his NBA tenure, all born in 2004.

James also spoke about the mental challenge of missing the season’s first 15 games due to injury.

“It was just fun to be out there with the guys, man. Like I said, it’s been rough mentally for me. It’s the first time I have started a basketball season and not played since I have started playing basketball, like, nine years old. I have never missed the beginning of the basketball season,” he said.

All eyes will be on James as the Lakers aim to build on their early momentum when they face the Jazz again on Monday, November 24 (Philippine Standard Time) at the Delta Center.

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