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LeBron James' return highlights a six-game night in the NBA

Enjoy all the the top moments and highlights from a six-game night in the NBA, featuring the expected return of LeBron James.

Ben Lambert, for NBA.com

LeBron James returned Tuesday to help lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a win over the Utah Jazz.

Enjoy the best of Tuesday’s slate with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news, notes and highlights from around the league.

LeBron James’ return was the story of the night. Read on to learn more!

What we know after Tuesday night’s games:

  • LeBron James (11 pts, 12 ast) made his season debut to help the Lakers defeat scoring machine Lauri Markkanen (31 pts) and the Jazz 140-126, aided by Luka Dončić (37 pts, 10 ast, excellent celebrations).
  • Our ‘NBA Coast 2 Coast’ doubleheader on NBC and Peacock opened with a 111-101 Spurs win over the Grizzlies, as De’Aaron Fox scored 26 points, including 20 in the second half.
  • In the nightcap, the Suns defeated the Blazers 127-110 as six Phoenix players scored in double figures.
  • The Pistons won their 11th straight 120-112 over the Hawks behind the returning Cade Cunningham (26 pts, 10 ast).
  • Stephen Curry passed Vince Carter (27,728 points) to reach 22nd on the all-time scoring list.

1:48 AM / NOVEMBER 19, 2025

The King reigns on Tuesday night

LeBron James started his season in style with a 140-126 win over the Jazz, delivering a double-double (11 pts, 12 ast) to start Year 23 of his storied career.

Check the highlights. From 2003 to 2025, LeBron has set a standard of excellence.

1:41 AM / NOVEMBER 19, 2025

Lauri keeps getting buckets

The subject of tonight’s mini-profile delivered 31 points, continuing the best scoring season of his career.

1:38 AM / NOVEMBER 19, 2025

Suns earn a victory on NBC and Peacock

A team effort carried Phoenix to a 127-110 win on the road over the Blazers, as six players scored in double figures to earn the Suns the win in the second half of our ‘NBA Coast 2 Coast’ doubleheader.

Devin Booker (19 pts, 6 reb, 5 ast) and Collin Gillespie (19 pts, 6 ast) were the high scorers for Phoenix, who were without Jalen Green and Grayson Allen.

“Next man up. We figure it out,” said Dillon Brooks. “Guys are ready; guys are hungry to play… We’ve got confidence in each other to make plays.”

1:27 AM / NOVEMBER 19, 2025

The Bromance continues

Luka Dončić (37 pts, 10 ast) and Austin Reaves (26 pts on 11 shots) showed out in the Lakers 140-126 win over the Jazz, as did LeBron James (11 pts, 12 ast) and Deandre Ayton (20 pts, 14 reb).

The vibes are high in Los Angeles.

Also, Jaxson Hayes soared on this jam.

1:04 AM / NOVEMBER 19, 2025

Suns open up lead over Blazers

It’s 105-85 Suns with 11:09 to go in the fourth on NBC and Peacock.

Ryan Dunn (career-high 5 steals) delivered a major fast break slam to help increase the lead.

Portland’s still battling though, employing the help of the Time Lord.

12:50 AM / NOVEMBER 19, 2025

The King’s vision

Few in NBA history have delivered more dimes than LeBron James — three to be exact.

He’s up to 11 points and 12 assists in his season debut as the Lakers open up their lead in the fourth.

12:38 AM / NOVEMBER 19, 2025

Luka breaking out the emotes

A lovely leaner from Luka. Check the celebration.

12:31 AM / NOVEMBER 19, 2025

Second half of Blazers-Suns has begun

On NBC and Peacock in our ‘NBA Coast 2 Coast’ doubleheader, as the Suns take a 64-61 lead into the second stanza.

Devin Booker (13 pts, 5 reb, 4 ast) is leading Phoenix in scoring, while Shaedon Sharpe (20 pts) is pacing the Trail Blazers.

Caleb Love had a half to remember, setting his career-highs for points and rebounds in just two frames.

12:22 AM / NOVEMBER 19, 2025

LeBron in the lane

89-88 Lakers in a close affair on League Pass.

Los Angeles is dominating inside with 52 points in the paint so far, including these two from LeBron.

The Jazz have the outside advantage, though, making 11 3-pointers to six for the Lakers.

It’s a good one with 2:33 to go in the third quarter.

12:14 AM / NOVEMBER 19, 2025

Yang Hansen at work

Young ballers, the drop step will always do you good.

12:02 AM / NOVEMBER 19, 2025

Delivering the dish

Suns are up 57-49 with 3:13 to go in the second, but Toumani Camara delivered this delicate dime to Deni Avdija for the diving layup.

11:58 PM / NOVEMBER 18, 2025

Reaves for four

We’re underway in the second half as LeBron James returns to action in Los Angeles.

11:40 PM / NOVEMBER 18, 2025

Luka Magic in effect

71-67 Jazz at the half. Catch the second half on League Pass!

Lauri Markkanen has a little razzle-dazzle of his own too.

11:34 PM / NOVEMBER 18, 2025

Blazers-Suns underway on Peacock

11:28 PM / NOVEMBER 18, 2025

Year 23, still scoring

The all-time leading scorer extends his mark.

11:11 PM / NOVEMBER 18, 2025

Capturing Cade’s night

10:49 PM / NOVEMBER 18, 2025

Welcome back, LeBron

10:35 PM / NOVEMBER 18, 2025

Two more looks at Fox’s punctuating slam

10:28 PM / NOVEMBER 18, 2025

Spurs close out the Grizzlies late

De’Aaron Fox (26 pts) brought the Spurs to the conclusion, including 16 points in the third quarter, and he and Harrison Barnes (23 pts, 4 3PM) iced it late with an 11-0 run to win 111-101 over Memphis.

“Just get aggressive,” said Fox. “I saw one go down, and that opens the floodgates sometimes.”

Vince Williams Jr. (14 pts, 8 reb, 9 ast), Cedric Coward (19 pts, 11 reb) and Jaren Jackson Jr. (18 pts) led the way for the Grizzlies in defeat.

10:01 PM / NOVEMBER 18, 2025

Pistons take their 11th straight

With a 120-112 win over the Atlanta Hawks on the road.

Cade Cunningham (25 pts, 10 ast) and Jalen Duren (24 pts, 8 reb) led the way for Detroit, who scored 66 points in the paint while earning the victory.

Ausar Thompson put up two of those with a slick double-clutch jam.

It’s the first time since 2007-08 that Detroit’s assembled such a streak.

9:54 PM / NOVEMBER 18, 2025

Greatness starts early

9:45 PM / NOVEMBER 18, 2025

Daniss Jenkins gets up

Pistons are up 108-101 with 2:35 to go, thanks in part to the slam from the St. John’s product.

9:42 PM / NOVEMBER 18, 2025

Enter the King

9:32 PM / NOVEMBER 18, 2025

Three games going…

All within four points. A good night in the Association.

9:25 PM / NOVEMBER 18, 2025

Pistons up in the fourth

Detroit’s seeking their 11th straight win — their longest since 2007-08 — and has a 97-93 lead with 8:17 to go in the fourth.

Cade Cunningham has 19 points and 10 assists, as well as a sweet alley-oop jam.

9:12 PM / NOVEMBER 18, 2025

Boston builds a lead in Brooklyn

80-72 Celtics with 4:16 to go in the third quarter. Here, Jaylen Brown grabs two of his 14 points.

9:08 PM / NOVEMBER 18, 2025

The green light

The other seven? Paul Pierce, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Ray Allen and Al Horford. Pretty good company.

8:55 PM / NOVEMBER 18, 2025

Firing up Atlanta

A 71.1 on the Dunk Score scale.

8:44 PM / NOVEMBER 18, 2025

The King returns tonight

Year 23: commence.

8:36 PM / NOVEMBER 18, 2025

Fox with the quickness

De’Aaron Fox shows his trademark coast-to-coast speed in the opener of our ‘Coast 2 Coast’ doubleheader.

21-20 Spurs with 42.1 seconds left in the first quarter.

8:30 PM / NOVEMBER 18, 2025

Grizzlies and Spurs underway to open our ‘Coast 2 Coast Tuesday’ doubleheader

8:12 PM / NOVEMBER 18, 2025

Shooting into history

Curry passed Vince Carter (25,728 points). Kevin Garnett (26,071) is up next for the Warriors legend.

7:54 PM / NOVEMBER 18, 2025

Duren down low

Jalen Duren is a force around the rim.

He’s tied for fourth-most points in the paint per game this season (14.2), helping Detroit to the most in the league (58.9).

7:45 PM / NOVEMBER 18, 2025

Hitting one from Pensacola

7:25 PM / NOVEMBER 18, 2025

Cheffing up an appetizer

It’s 29-25 Orlando with 2:55 to go in the first quarter, but Stephen Curry’s got it going for Golden State.

6:30 PM / NOVEMBER 18, 2025

Lauri Markkanen is a scoring machine

Only Luka Dončić, his opponent this evening, has put up more 40+ point games than Lauri Markkanen so far this season, with four 40-pieces to three for the Swede.

The Utah star is having the best scoring season of his career so far (30.6 ppg, sixth in the NBA, on 47.9 percent shooting), ramping up his production to lead the offense, including 47 and 40 in his last two outings.

Markannen is only the fifth Jazz player to tally consecutive 40-balls, joining Donovan Mitchell, Karl Malone, Adrian Dantley and Pete Maravich.

Check out his varied production in a 150-147 win over the Bulls.

He can roll like a big, catching the ball high and finishing with his 6-foot-11 wingspan, or catch-and-shoot like an elite wing, making 3.8 of 9.7 3PA per game so far this season.

He’s taken another step with his toughness this season, revving up his motor to lead a young Utah squad.

Since last season, he’s upped his contested rebounds to 3.0 from 2.0, and contested more shots (5.6 to 5.1) while getting up 21.5 FGA.

“He carried us,” Head coach Will Hardy said of Markkanen after the victory over the Bulls. “His presence settled us down for the majority of the game.”

Lauri and the Jazz will swing into action against the Lakers tonight on League Pass (10:30 ET).

6:00 PM / NOVEMBER 18, 2025

Welcome to a six-game Tuesday, featuring the return of the King

LeBron James returns tonight as the Los Angeles Lakers host the Utah Jazz (10:30 ET) on League Pass.

Tonight’s NBA action features our ‘NBA Coast 2 Coast’ doubleheader on NBC and Peacock, featuring the Grizzlies taking the Spurs and the Blazers facing the Suns, and the potential return of LeBron James.

LeBron enters Year 23 tonight with a chance to make a difference for a talented Lakers squad as they face the Jazz (10:30 ET).

Where will he find his role? Last year, James was -54 on the season — only the third time in his legendary career he’s been in negative territory.

Luka Dončić (34.4 ppg) and Austin Reaves (28.3 ppg) have provided the firepower this season, but Los Angeles is still looking for linking players, cycling through Marcus Smart, Jake LaRavia, Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent.

With his trademark playmaking and court vision, the King should fit in nicely.

In addition to being the all-time scoring leader, LeBron’s fourth all-time in assists, just over 500 behind Jason Kidd. He dropped 546 last season.

“There’s not one team, one club in the world that I can’t fit in and play with,” James said yesterday. “I can do everything on the floor, so whatever this team needs me to do and more, I can do it.”

In the opening half of our ‘NBA Coast 2 Coast’ doubleheader on NBC and Peacock, the Grizzlies and Spurs (8 ET) face off in a battle of young talents.

Cedric Coward (14.0 ppg, 6.1 reb, 3.0 ast) has been a bright spot for Memphis this season, rising to No. 2 on the latest Kia Rookie Ladder.

He’ll match up with Keldon Johnson, as well as the Spurs’ talented guard in De’Aaron Fox.

Fox dropped 28 points and 11 assists in the Spurs’ first game without Victor Wembanyama (calf), a 123-110 victory over the Kings.

In the second half, Deni Avdjia, Shaedon Sharpe and the Blazers take on Devin Booker and the Suns (11 ET) in a matchup of two teams jockeying for position among the Play-In Tournament seeds..

Avdija and Sharpe are on the rise. Over the last five games, they rank 11th and 13th in the NBA in scoring with 28.6 ppg and 28.4 ppg respectively.

Booker’s been his steady self, rising to eighth in the NBA in scoring (28.4 ppg) while maintaining his steady playmaking (7.0 ast).

Will the Blazers’ ascendant duo win out over the established star in Book? We’ll find out on NBC and Peacock tonight.

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