LOS ANGELES — LeBron James has made us numb to the impossible. He keeps playing at an elite level despite tens of thousands of minutes on his legs. He now enters his 23rd season still carrying the burden of greatness. LeBron is also coming off his straight 21st All-NBA selection. A right sciatica threatens that streak as he has already missed 14 games. That is one reason I believe his season debut arrives Tuesday night against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena. He won’t miss that game unless it’s absolutely a must
When LeBron James Will Make His Season Debut For The Lakers
The Lakers sit at 10-4 without him. They have impressed early. They have held steady while waiting for their leader. With LeBron participating in his first full practice on Monday, JJ Redick should soon have his full roster available for the first time this season.
Signs Point to Tuesday Night
The timeline makes sense. The Lakers have four days of recovery time between Tuesday’s game and their next meeting with Utah on Sunday. That built-in cushion makes Tuesday the logical moment.
“Yeah, we did a lot of live basketball, so he was able to participate in everything,” Redick said after Monday’s practice. That comment signals real progress. Barring a flare-up on Tuesday morning, LeBron James will make his season debut tonight.
Fans should feel optimistic. Yet skepticism has surfaced too. Some corners of the fanbase have floated the reckless idea of trading the 40-year-old. Their argument suggests moving LeBron to collect assets to build around Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. That idea ignores reality. Though that backcourt helped the Lakers win eight of their last ten games, LeBron remains the engine that lifts every piece around him. LeBron will enhance that backcourt not hinder it.
Fitting LeBron Back Into the Mix
Redick addressed the balance between his stars. “There’s some continuity from last year with AR and him and Luka that I think we can build on, but truthfully, you can’t anticipate whether it’s going to be seamless or whether it’s going to be [indiscernible],” he said. “There are some little formula of things you got to add and if you put too much cinnamon in there, cookie’s not that good. So you gotta tinker with it and we will.”
His analogy fits. The trio has continuity from last season. They know each other’s spots. They will adjust again. LeBron deserves more credit for his adaptability. He took on a more off-ball role after the team acquired Dončić. He still played well enough to earn another All-NBA nod. And that happened on the fly in February.
A seamless reintroduction seems likely. The Lakers also need what he brings. Their loss to Oklahoma City exposed their lack of athleticism. They also rank 24th in three-point accuracy. LeBron helps both issues. He has shot over 39 percent from deep over the last two seasons. Adding that level of shooting and physical force transforms their spacing and tempo.
Why His Return Matters Now
LeBron James may not erase every flaw, but his presence restores structure. Tuesday night feels like the moment that structure returns. The Lakers have waited long enough. So has he.
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