LOS ANGELES — LeBron James is suiting up for the Los Angeles Lakers against Utah on Tuesday night to begin his unprecedented 23rd NBA season.

The 40-year-old James has been sidelined since the start of training camp by sciatica, keeping him out of the preseason and the Lakers' first 14 games of the regular season. James, who had never before missed a season opener in his basketball life, returned to contact basketball activity last week before participating in his first Lakers practice of the new season Monday.

While James went through his pregame workout one hour before tipoff, the Lakers confirmed he was available to play when they hosted the Jazz at their downtown arena.

James said Monday that his body isn't in ideal game shape, but he was eager to get started on his latest milestone

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