Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James discussed the challenges of reintegrating himself back into the lineup amidst his return from injury to start the season.
The Los Angeles Lakers were already red hot to start the 2025-26 season, but the re-addition of LeBron James into the lineup after a bout with sciatica had the team looking even more dangerous in Tuesday’s 140-126 win over the Utah Jazz at home.
James didn’t take many shots in his season debut, barely extending his nearly 19-year-long streak of scoring 10+ points in a game with an 11-point outing on 4-of-7 from the field. What he lacked in scoring, he made up for in distribution by registering 12 assists while displaying control of the offense that could have convinced you he never missed any time at all.
The return of James only benefited Luka Doncic, who continued his absurd start to the season with a 37-point outburst on 11-of-22 from the field while also racking up 10 assists. Doncic led the Lakers to a 10-4 start without James, which set the team up well for his return. For a competitor like LeBron, however, that time on the sidelines wasn’t easy regardless of success.
Still, James had no doubts he would be a positive contributor to the lineup as soon as he was added and that there would be no issues getting him up to speed and in rhythm. Looking at Tuesday’s results, it’s hard to argue his point.
Fitting In
“I’ve seen a lot (of good),” James said. “Everyone enjoys being around each other and loves playing for one another. A lot of guys sacrifice. So, for me, it’s about just seeing ways I can just fit in organically, right off the top. I know ways I can help this team right away when I am put back in the lineup.”
In terms of how LeBron is working to reintegrate himself seamlessly into the Lakers’ lineup and locker room, the 40-year-old compared it to being the new kid at school and having to learn everything and everybody all over again.
“I've got to work my way back into it,” James said. “The guys have been doing road trips, shoot-arounds, been on flights, so I've got to work my way back into the fold of things. (4:22) It's kind of like a kid going to a new school again. You've got to learn the guys and everything. They've got some great chemistry. (4:29) I'm going to fill my way back in and do it organically.
“It shouldn't be hard, but definitely it's going to be a fill-out process”