LeBron James returns from injury, lights up Lakers in win over Jazz

LOS ANGELES — LeBron James, playing for the first time in a record 23rd NBA season, ignited the crowd and the Lakers’ offense with his virtuoso passing, helping his team pull away from the Utah Jazz 140-126 on Tuesday night.

After missing the Lakers’ first 14 games because of a sciatic nerve irritation, James and the Lakers quickly adjusted to one another, coming back from an 11-point first-half deficit to lead by as many as 23 on their way to a lopsided win.

James scored 11 points and grabbed three rebounds, but his 12 assists injected energy into his team and the crowd. A dart fired across the court to Gabe Vincent in the corner to beat the third-quarter buzzer ended with Luka Dončić dancing at midcourt in celebration. A no-look pass to Deandre Ayton had the Lakers’ bench on its feet.

Both plays turned up the volume inside Crypto.com Arena as loud as it got Tuesday night. And both plays ended with James smiling, back on the court, fully a part of a team with impeccable vibes and now 11 wins in its first 15 games.

Dončić led the Lakers with 37 points to go with his 10 assists. Austin Reaves scored 26 on just 11 shot attempts, and Ayton scored 20 points and grabbed 14 rebounds.

Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz, who scored 71 first-half points, with 31. The Lakers held Utah to just 22 points in the third quarter when they grabbed control of the game.

James started alongside Dončić, Reaves, Ayton and Rui Hachimura. He played 30 minutes.

The Lakers play the Jazz again Sunday in Salt Lake City.

This story will be updated.