LeBron James returned to the court on Tuesday night and immediately made history, then got real about just how much basketball he has left.
The 40-year-old Lakers star made his long-awaited season debut in a 140–126 win over the Utah Jazz, officially beginning his league-record 23rd campaign. No player in NBA history has ever played that many seasons, as James broke the previous mark held by Vince Carter.
James, who missed the Lakers' first 14 games due to sciatica affecting his lower back and right leg, finished with 11 points, 12 assists, and 3 rebounds in 30 minutes. He helped spark a second-half surge, dishing eight assists after halftime, including six in a blistering three-minute stretch early in the fourth quarter.
He also extended one of the most unbreakable records in sports: 1,293 consecutive games with double-digit scoring, a streak dating back to January 2007.
Speaking to reporters in the locker room, James admitted the road back has taken a toll.
"It was just fun to be out there with the guys, man," he said. "It's been rough mentally for me. This is the first time I've started a basketball season and not played since I started playing basketball like 9 years old. I've never missed the beginning of a basketball season."
James recently completed a rehab stint with the G League's South Bay Lakers, where he went through back-to-back practice days and confirmed he could return without lingering pain. When asked what his biggest challenge would be this season, James was blunt about his future and the reality of being in his 23rd year.
"My biggest challenge this season? I don't know, just stay in the moment," he said. "Obviously, where I'm at in my career and where I'm at in year 23, and understanding that there's not many more games for me. Don't know when that is, but just staying in the moment and appreciating the opportunity to play the game I love and being around a great group."
Already the NBA's all-time leading scorer, James continues to climb other leaderboards. After Tuesday's game, he sits 48 games behind Robert Parish for the most games played in league history and 496 assists behind Jason Kidd for third on the all-time assists list.