LEBRON JAMES MAKES NBA HISTORY AS LAKERS LEGEND KICKS OFF RECORD 23RD SEASON WITH WIN OVER UTAH JAZZ

LeBron James marked his return from injury with a win on Tuesday night, as he helped the Los Angeles Lakers triumph 140-125 over the Utah Jazz.

'King' James had been sidelined for the Lakers' opening 14 games of the season after developing sciatica but made his return for the clash at the Crypto.com Arena.

Though it wasn't a vintage LeBron display - which is understandable given his recent injury - the 40-year-old star still produced 11 points, 12 assists and three rebounds.

By making his return to the court on Tuesday, James set an NBA record for the most seasons played, 23, surpassing the record held by Vince Carter. 

During the game, James also moved up to sixth in the NBA's all-time 3-pointers list, surpassing Reggie Miller.

Elsewhere on the night, Luka Doncic produced a stunning 37 points, as well as 10 assists and five rebounds, in yet another stunning performance for the Slovenian star.

LeBron James marked his return from injury with a win over the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night

James, who had never before missed a season opener, returned to contact basketball activity last week before participating in his first Lakers practice of the new season Monday.

About 30 minutes before tipoff, the team confirmed James would start for the 1,561st time in his 1,563rd regular-season games. He got a loud ovation when he was announced first in the Lakers´ starting lineup.

James said Monday that his body isn't in ideal game shape, but he was eager to get started on his latest milestone achievement in a career packed with distinction. 

With this debut, James is now just 48 games behind Parish's NBA record for regular-season games played (1,611). 

James already holds another NBA record with 1,855 regular-season and playoff games combined - 58 more than Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - along with the record for most total minutes played.

James has repeatedly said he isn´t assuming this season will be his last, but he also hasn't decided whether he´ll play another year. 

By making his return to the court, James set an NBA record for the most seasons played
 

His most recent offseason was injury-plagued, with two months of recovery after spraining his knee ligament during the Lakers' first-round playoff loss to Minnesota followed by a painful bout of sciatica - pain in the nerves running from the buttocks and down the back of the legs.

James became the top scorer in NBA history in February 2023. Last March, he became the first NBA player to put up 50,000 total points in the regular season and playoffs combined.

James is a four-time NBA champion, winning the NBA Finals MVP award each time. He has four league MVP awards and 21 All-Star selections.

His career began with the Cleveland Cavaliers in October 2003, a year before the birth of his oldest son and current Lakers teammate, Bronny James.

- JAMES COHEN

KYLIE JENNER, TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET PACK ON PDA AT LAKERS GAME

Hoops, they did it again ... lovey dovey couple Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet packed on the PDA as they watched the Los Angeles Lakers take on -- and lose to -- the Minnesota Timberwolves Wednesday night and looked as in love as ever.

Check out the pics ... the Kylie Cosmetics founder beamed as she sat alongside her actor beau at the Crypto.com Arena ... frequently grabbing onto his left arm and hand as adorable displays of affection.

Timothée returned the favor at one point, placing his hand on grinning Kylie's thigh.

Of course, the couple of two years -- who wore matching black and white outfits -- didn't hold back from locking lips during the game, seemingly paying no mind to their team losing.

The famous pair's high-spirited date night comes just two weeks after they let loose in the California desert at Coachella, where they were spotted getting touchy-feely throughout the day.

And a month before they vibed at the music festival, they were seen sucking face at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, California.

It seems it's Kylie and Timothée's world ... and we're all just living in it.

- TMZ Sports 

STEPHEN A. SMITH BREAKS SILENCE ON LEBRON JAMES

The new superstar duo of LeBron James and Luka Doncic guided the Los Angeles Lakers to their 8th-straight win, defeating Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks.

Stephen A. Smith was at Crypto.com Arena for Thursday night's game, and at one point, LeBron came up to him and confronted him about something. The video went viral online with millions of views.

On Friday morning, Smith made his first post after the conversation with the four-time NBA champion, revealing he would discuss the events on Friday's edition of "First Take." It turns out that LeBron confronted him about some comments Smith had made about Bronny James, LeBron's son.

"That was LeBron James coming up to me unexpectedly, I might add, to confront me about making sure I mind what I say about his son," Smith said. "That wasn't a basketball player confronting me. That was a parent. That was a father, and I can't sit here and be angry or feel slighted by LeBron James in any way in that regard... Based on some of the comments he had heard, or shall I say, think he thought he heard, clearly took exception to some of the things he heard me say, and he confronted me about it."

Stephen A. Smith lo confirma.pic.twitter.com/rPhg3jDl7Mhttps://t.co/EW04sv5R5H

— The Night MVP (@TheNightMVP) March 7, 2025

It is unclear what specific comments LeBron confronted Smith about. However, the popular theory is that it came during January when Smith discussed Bronny's nepotism.

"I'm really, really trying to be as respectful as I possibly can be toward LeBron James, one of the top two or three players in the history of basketball," Smith commented on Jan. 29. "I am pleading with LeBron James, as a father. Stop this. Stop this. We all know that Bronny James is in the NBA because of his dad... We know that [Bronny James is] not ready yet, and I'm saying this with compassion."

Stephen A. Smith. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Bronny and LeBron became the first father-son duo to ever touch an NBA court together. The plan for the rookie was likely always to have him play numerous games in the G League with the South Bay Lakers. However, Bronny would not travel with South Bay for road games, only playing at home. But that has since changed.

Still, Bronny has started to gain some confidence in the G League as of late, scoring over 20 points in four of the last five games. He even recorded an NBA career high of nine points on Feb. 12 against the Utah Jazz.

- Chris Phelps Athlon Sports

LEBRON JAMES' NEXT DEAL, AND EVERY CONTRACT OPTION WITH THE LAKERS OR ANOTHER TEAM

 As far as basketball settings go, it was hard to top the buzz Saturday night inside Crypto.com Arena.

LeBron James, on the brink of becoming the first player in NBA history to reach the 40,000-point plateau, arrived hours before his Los Angeles Lakers tipped off at home against the Denver Nuggets.

Entertainment industry impresarios such as Jeffrey Katzenberg, Peter Berg, Byron Allen and Lemuel Plummer filed in through the VIP entrance. Stars from film and sports -- Kate Hudson and Dyan Cannon, Novak Djokovic and Magic Johnson -- dotted the stands.

Even James himself was flanked by a documentary crew banking footage for his upcoming Netflix series.

During a break in the action midway through the second quarter -- LeBron had scored the ninth point he needed to make history a few minutes earlier -- James winked in the direction of Lakers governor Jeanie Buss, located in her second-row seat across from the home bench. It was a custom the two shared during his first couple seasons in L.A. that James dusted off for the historic night.

And, after the game, the Lakers commemorated the moment on their theater-style marquee in the player tunnel: 1st NBA Player. Congrats LeBron James. 40,000 points scored.

James, who has privately questioned whether Laker Nation would ever fully embrace him after seeing him battle their beloved Kobe Bryant for so long, acknowledged the way the fans and the franchise showed up for him.

"Much respect and much loyalty to the Laker fanbase for showing me that love," James said. "Being the first player to do something, that's pretty cool in this league."

The Lakers and James can pair on another first this offseason. Should he agree to a new, multiyear contract, L.A. will be guaranteed to be the first and only team that James will have played eight consecutive seasons with, eclipsing the seven-year start to his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

As rocky as James' relationship with the Lakers has appeared at times, it's hard to imagine any other franchise providing the elements that aligned Saturday night in L.A.

But James, nearing 40 years old and in his 21st season, has options as he approaches free agency for the fifth -- and perhaps final -- time in his career.

LAKERS UNVEILS FIRST OF THREE KOBE BRYANT STATUES

USA TODAY Sports 

 Kobe Bryant was known for exceeding expectations, so it should have come as no surprise that on the day the late star's statue was unveiled outside of the Los Angeles Lakers' home arena, it was revealed that three statues will ultimately don the downtown L.A. property.

In a private ceremony outside of Crypto.com Arena on Thursday, the biggest names in Lakers history were in attendance -- from Jerry West to Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and former head coach Phil Jackson. Pau Gasol was there, as was Norm Nixon, Michael Cooper and Robert Horry.

Abdul-Jabbar and Jackson spoke at the ceremony, along with Lakers controlling owner Jeanie Buss, former Laker Derek Fisher and Bryant's widow Vanessa.

"As I see today's current generation of star players follow in Kobe's footsteps with huge scoring games, I know he would take pride in knowing that he is still pouring inspiration into the game that was so special to him," Vanessa Bryant said.

It was Vanessa Bryant that revealed the plan to have three statues.

"I leave you with one of my husband's amazing quotes," Vanessa Bryant said. "‘Leave the game better than you found it and when it comes time for you to leave, leave a legend.' And that he did."

LOS ANGELES LAKERS WEARING 'BLACK MAMBA' UNIFORMS To Honor Kobe Bryant

Getty 

 A special week for Lakers fans just got better ... the same night the purple and gold unveil the Kobe Bryant statue outside Crypto.com Arena, LeBron James and Co. will rock Mamba uniforms, designed by the late legend himself!

The Lakers made the announcement Tuesday morning, saying the squad would wear their Black Mamba uniforms vs. the Denver Nuggets on February 8, the same night the team will introduce Bryant's bronze statue in Star Plaza outside of the arena.

Aside from the jerseys looking fresh, they're extra special because Kobe actually helped create them back in 2017 ... borrowing elements from the Lakers uniform he wore during his rookie season in 1996-1997.