LeBron’s Touch Time Hits Historic Low in 23rd NBA Season Debut
LeBron James made history Tuesday night by becoming the first player in NBA history to play in 23 seasons, but the Los Angeles Lakers’ 140–126 win over the Utah Jazz revealed a more startling development: the four-time MVP is touching the basketball less than ever before.
James, who turns 41 next month, returned from a 14-game absence due to sciatic nerve irritation and recorded one of the lowest-volume scoring nights of his career — but his passing fueled the Lakers’ most productive offensive outing of the season.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, tracking data from GeniusIQ showed James averaged just 2.46 seconds per touch, the shortest average he’s had in any game since NBA player tracking began in 2013–14.
That microscopic touch length represents a stark shift for one of the league’s most ball-dominant players, signaling a new Lakers offense built around Luka Dončić, with James operating as the ultimate connector instead of the primary engine.
James Sets Career Touch-Time Low as Lakers Score Season High
Despite nearly ending his streak of consecutive double-digit scoring games, James issued 12 assists, facilitating a Lakers offense that scored a season-high 140 points. His lone driving layup in the third quarter preserved his record streak of 1,293 straight games with at least 10 points — every game he has played since Jan. 6, 2007.
James finished with 11 points, 12 assists on 4-of-7 shooting in 30 minutes. He only took one shot in the opening quarter and did not score until the 8:20 mark of the second quarter.
His two early 3-pointers let him pass Reggie Miller for sixth place on the NBA’s all-time made 3-pointers list.
‘Unselfish’ LeBron
Lakers head coach JJ Redick lauded James’ willingness to move the ball.
“Very unselfish all night,” Redick said. “Didn’t force it… took his drives and his shots when they were there.”
While James orchestrated, Dončić was the focal point, scoring 37 points on 11-of-22 shooting, including 17 in the third quarter, along with 10 assists. Dončić praised James’ unique impact.
“He does things that other people can’t,” Dončić said. “He’s here to help us all.”
The game seemed to confirm the franchise’s identity shift: Dončić is the new offensive engine, and James is optimizing him.
“The defense is going to pay attention to him… and I just thought he made a lot of great decisions tonight,” Redick said of James.
Fitting In, Not Fitting Out
In a postgame interview, James pushed back against questions about whether his return might disrupt the Lakers, who opened the season 10–4 without him.
“I can fit in with anybody,” James said. “I don’t even understand why that was a question.”
James admitted the conditioning was challenging after almost seven months without game action.
“My lungs felt like a newborn baby,” he said. “Caught my second wind, caught my third wind.”
The Lakers’ role players flourished with James as a pass-first initiator:
- Austin Reaves: 26 points on 7-of-11 shooting
- Deandre Ayton: 20 points, 14 rebounds, highlight lob from James
- Jake LaRavia: 16 points, first basket assisted by James
The numbers, the coach, and his new co-star all point to the same conclusion: in his 23rd season, James is reinventing himself again — this time through the least ball dominance of his entire career.
Golden State Announces Exciting News Before Warriors vs. Heat
The team announced that it will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1975 NBA championship squad during a home game on November 21, when the Warriors host the Portland Trail Blazers. The organization will honor the franchise’s first West Coast title team with a full in-arena celebration and a chance for fans to meet some of the legends from that run.
Warriors to celebrate 50th anniversary of 1975 Championship team:
Warriors Announce 50th Anniversary Celebration for 1975 Championship Team
Golden State said all living members of the 1975 championship group are scheduled to be on hand for the anniversary night.
That list includes Hall of Famer Rick Barry, along with Butch Beard, Charles Dudley, George Johnson, Jeff Mullins, Clifford Ray and Jamaal Wilkes. The late Alvin Attles, who coached that team, will be represented by his son, Alvin Attles Jr.
Throughout the November 21 game against Portland, the Warriors plan to spotlight the 1975 squad with in-arena video features and a special on-court recognition.
Fans will also have a chance to secure autographs. The team announced that members of the 1975 group will sign inside the Golden State Shop before tipoff.
The celebration marks the 50th anniversary of Golden State’s first championship after the franchise moved to California and rebranded from the San Francisco Warriors to the Golden State Warriors.
What the 1975 Title Celebration Means for Warriors Fans
GettyGolden State Warriors legend Rick Barry was a big reason why the Warriors won an NBA championship in 1975.
The 1974-75 season was the Warriors’ 29th campaign in franchise history and their 13th in California. Golden State finished that regular season 48-34, winning the Pacific Division title before going on a surprise run through the playoffs.
For long-time Bay Area fans, the new promotion is a chance to see the players who delivered that breakthrough title well before the Stephen Curry era. For younger fans, it connects the modern dynasty to an older chapter of Warriors history.
Barry led the way during the 1975 playoffs and was named NBA Finals MVP after averaging 29.5 points to go with all-around numbers on the glass, as a passer and on defense.
Rookie forward Jamaal Wilkes also broke through that year, earning NBA Rookie of the Year honors after averaging 14.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists while playing in all 82 games.
By announcing the celebration ahead of the matchup with the Heat, Golden State adds another big date to a home schedule that already draws large crowds for rivalry games and marquee opponents.
Stats, Schedule & Context for Golden State’s 1975 Champions
The Warriors’ path to that 1975 championship started with a six-game series win over the Seattle SuperSonics.
Golden State then rallied from a 3-2 deficit to beat the Chicago Bulls in seven games in the Western Conference Finals, before sweeping the Washington Bullets 4-0 in the NBA Finals.
The 1975 triumph became the franchise’s third NBA championship overall, and its first since 1956. Including the Curry-led titles, the Warriors now boast seven championships: 1947, 1956, 1975, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022, the third-most in league history.
For now, the focus on the court is the matchup against Miami, but the organization is already pointing fans toward a different kind of night in November — one built around the players who helped start Golden State’s championship tradition.
