LeBron to make season debut vs. Jazz, setting NBA mark for longevity

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James will officially be the first player in NBA history to take the court for a 23rd season.

The 40-year-old is available to make his season debut during Tuesday's home game against the Utah Jazz, the Lakers announced, marking his return from a sciatica issue that forced him to miss the first 14 contests of the 2025-26 campaign.

James previously shared the record for seasons played with Vince Carter, who retired in 2020 at age 43.

Tuesday's contest marks the 1,563rd regular-season game of James' career. Boston Celtics icon Robert Parish, who played 21 campaigns, holds the league record with 1,611 games played. James can surpass Parish by appearing in 49 more outings, a milestone he could reach this season.

James, who turns 41 in December, already owns the all-time NBA records for regular-season points (42,184), minutes played (59,041), All-Star selections (21), and All-NBA nods (21), among a litany of others. He's also the first player to reach 10,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, and 10,000 assists.