When LeBron James stepped onto the court at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, he didn’t just play basketball—he rewrote history. In his 23rd NBA season debut, the 40-year-old legend extended his record for consecutive games with double-digit scoring to 1,293, a streak that began on January 6, 2007. And he wasn’t alone. Luka Doncic exploded for 37 points, 10 assists, and five rebounds to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 140-126 rout of the Utah Jazz, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and pushing the Lakers to 11-4 on the season.
A Legacy in Motion
LeBron didn’t light up the scoreboard early. He missed his first six shots, sat through 11 quiet minutes, and looked more like a conductor than a scorer. But then came the third quarter. A driving layup. Then another. Then a three-pointer from the corner—his 2,561st career three, surpassing Reggie Miller for sixth on the NBA’s all-time list. The crowd roared. Cameras flashed. And the stat sheet told the real story: 11 points, 12 assists, 5 rebounds, zero turnovers. This wasn’t about scoring anymore. It was about control.Doncic Steals the Spotlight
If LeBron was the maestro, Luka Doncic was the virtuoso. The Slovenian phenom, playing his first game as a Laker after a blockbuster trade in the offseason, delivered a performance that felt like a coming-out party. He scored 17 points in the third quarter alone, turning a 71-67 halftime deficit into a 108-93 lead by the end of the frame. His mid-range pull-ups were poetry. His step-back threes? Unstoppable. He even drew fouls on defenders half his age. When he sank his final three with 2:14 left, the arena chanted his name—not as a newcomer, but as a franchise cornerstone.The Jazz’s Glimmer and the Generational Gap
The Jazz didn’t go down quietly. Keyonte George, born just 10 days after LeBron’s NBA debut on October 29, 2003, dropped 33 points—eight assists, five threes—and nearly stole the show. He’d hit the game-winner against the Chicago Bulls just two nights prior. But against the Lakers, his energy couldn’t match the veteran’s precision. Lauri Markkanen added 31 points, and Utah led by nine at halftime. But then came the 41-19 Lakers run—the kind of burst only a team with elite depth and championship DNA can muster.For the Jazz, it was another frustrating chapter in a season that’s slipping away. They’re now 5-9, nine games behind the conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder, and their defense looked lost after halftime. Coach Will Hardy’s adjustments came too late. The Lakers’ defensive switch to a zone in the third quarter completely disrupted Utah’s rhythm.
Bronny’s Moment
And then, with 3:33 left, the arena erupted again. Bronny James, LeBron’s 20-year-old son, checked in. He’d played just 12 minutes all season. But here, in the final stretch, he drained a three-pointer from the wing—his first NBA make. The crowd stood. LeBron turned, smiled, and tapped his chest. It wasn’t just a highlight reel moment. It was family legacy in real time.
What This Means for the West
The Lakers’ win wasn’t just about beating a rebuilding Jazz team. It was a statement. They’re now tied with the Denver Nuggets for second in the Western Conference, just behind the Thunder. With Doncic, LeBron, and Austin Reaves (26 points, 5 rebounds) clicking, they’re suddenly the most dangerous offensive trio in the league. The Pacific Division? The Lakers lead the Phoenix Suns by two games, and the Golden State Warriors are catching fire.Meanwhile, the Jazz face a tough stretch: hosting the Thunder on Friday, then welcoming the Lakers back on Sunday. They’re in full rebuild mode, and George—despite his scoring—still looks like a player learning how to win at this level.
What’s Next?
The Lakers’ next game is a back-to-back against the Jazz on November 22, a rare scheduling quirk that feels almost poetic. Will Utah have any answers? Or will the Lakers’ chemistry continue to grow? And what happens when LeBron hits 1,300 consecutive double-digit games? That milestone is just 7 games away.For now, the NBA has a new narrative: a 40-year-old legend still defining the game, a 25-year-old superstar embracing his new home, and a 20-year-old son stepping into the shadow of greatness—not as a novelty, but as a legitimate player.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did LeBron James pass Reggie Miller on the all-time three-point list?
LeBron hit his 2,561st career three-pointer during the third quarter against the Jazz, surpassing Reggie Miller’s 2,560. He now ranks sixth all-time, behind Stephen Curry, Ray Allen, James Harden, Kyle Korver, and Klay Thompson. His three-point shooting has improved dramatically since his early career, and he’s now one of only four players in NBA history with over 10,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, and 10,000 assists.
Why is Luka Doncic’s performance with the Lakers so significant?
Doncic’s 37-point, 10-assist game was his eighth straight with 20+ points since joining the Lakers. He’s the first player in NBA history to average over 30 points and 8 assists in his first nine games with a new team. His chemistry with LeBron—especially in pick-and-roll and isolation sets—has already reshaped the Lakers’ offensive identity, turning them from a slow-paced team into one of the league’s most dynamic offenses.
What does Bronny James’ playing time mean for his future?
Bronny’s three-minute appearance and made three-pointer mark his first NBA field goal. While he’s still developing defensively and improving his shot selection, his confidence and athleticism are clear. The Lakers have stated they’re prioritizing his growth over immediate impact, but this moment signals they’re ready to give him meaningful minutes as the season progresses—especially in high-leverage situations where his spacing helps.
How does this loss affect the Utah Jazz’s rebuild?
The Jazz are now 5-9 and have lost five of their last seven games. Keyonte George’s scoring is promising, but their defense ranks 28th in the league. With no clear franchise player and limited draft capital, their rebuild is in danger of stalling. The upcoming game against the Thunder—a team with three All-Stars—is a litmus test: can they compete, or will they continue to fall further behind in the Western Conference standings?
Is LeBron James still capable of carrying a team in the playoffs?
He doesn’t need to carry them anymore—he orchestrates them. With Doncic as the primary scorer and Reaves as a reliable wing, LeBron’s role has shifted to playmaking and leadership. His assist-to-turnover ratio this season is 9.1-to-1, the best of his career. In the playoffs, his ability to read defenses and make the right pass at the right time makes him more dangerous than ever, even if his scoring dips. The Lakers aren’t a one-man show—they’re a chessboard, and LeBron is the grandmaster.
What’s the significance of LeBron’s 1,293 consecutive double-digit scoring games?
No player in NBA history has ever scored 10+ points in so many consecutive games. The streak began in 2007 and includes every game he’s played since—over 1,200 games across 23 seasons. Even when injured, he’s missed games, not scoring. This isn’t just durability—it’s elite consistency. It means he’s been among the top 10 scorers in the league for nearly two decades. Only Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game and Michael Jordan’s 10-game 40+ point streak come close in terms of longevity.
