LeBron James delivered one of the season’s most uplifting moments tonight against the Utah Jazz. In just his second game of the year, the 40-year-old buried his first dunk of the 2025–26 campaign, a play that immediately sent fans into a frenzy online.
It was a subtle reminder that even in Year 23, James still has bursts of athleticism that defy logic. This season has already been historic for him. By stepping on the court, James officially became the first player ever to play 23 consecutive NBA seasons, surpassing every longevity record in league history.
The dunk hinted that he’s slowly finding rhythm after a delayed start and is easing back into the Lakers’ system. His movement looked sharper tonight than in his previous outing, which would be a great sign for the Lakers.
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Fans reacted instantly, praising the dunk and celebrating the moment as proof that James still has standout plays left in him. Reacting to a clip of the dunk posted by NBA on ESPN on Instagram, fans wrote some hilarious comments while hyping up King James for the dunk.
“G-league helped him a lot,” a fan wrote.
“Old man can play,” a fan wrote.
“G league really developed bro,” a fan wrote.
“Breaking: 6’8 human is able to dunk a basketball,” some fans were still not impressed, despite LeBron being over 40 years of age.
“Get the 5th ring Bron,” a fan wrote.
“There’s a time where he would’ve tomahawked it,” a fan wrote.
This season hasn’t been easy for James. Despite not playing the first stretch of the season, he was in the news as speculations about his potential trade went through the roof. For now, it’s safe to say he is staying in LA as the Lakers aim for their first title in the Luka Doncic era.
LeBron James’ 23rd Season Had a Late Start
James did not open the season with the Lakers. He missed the first stretch of games due to a nerve issue that caused discomfort in his lower body, something the team managed carefully to ensure he didn’t aggravate it.
It was the first time in his life that he missed the start of a basketball season. Even he admitted how mentally draining that was. After his first game back, he spoke about how strange it felt to not be on the court from opening night and how difficult the wait was.
“It was just fun to be out there with the guys, man. It’s been rough mentally for me,” he said after the game, “this is the first time I’ve started a basketball season and not played since I’ve started playing basketball, like nine years old, I’ve never missed the beginning of a basketball season.”
That slow buildup made moments like tonight’s dunk feel even more meaningful. Now, as he continues to ramp up, the Lakers hope to build momentum around his return.
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