How LeBron’s comeback is already changing the balance between Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic

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LeBron James returned to action for the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night, making his first appearance of the season against the Utah Jazz.

He had been sidelined with a sciatica issue that kept him out of both the preseason and the first 14 games of the regular season.

In his return, James played nearly 30 minutes, finishing with 11 points, three rebounds, and 12 assists in a 140-126 win.

Ahead of tipoff, there was plenty of speculation over whether his return would impact either Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves in the starting lineup.

And even though the Lakers’ backcourt combined for an impressive 63 points, it was clear that Reaves had to make some adjustments playing alongside LeBron again.

LeBron James’ return sees Austin Reaves’ playmaking decline

Doncic has been leading the MVP conversation with numbers close to a 35-point triple-double, and Reaves’ play has him in the All-NBA mix. Reaves is putting up over 28 points per game as LA’s second option, ranking ninth in the league.

The 27-year-old has also been getting it done as a playmaker, with his 8.2 assists per game well above his previous career best of 5.8.

But with LeBron back, it’s clear Reaves won’t need to do as much of the heavy lifting when it comes to setting up others.

The Lakers’ win over Utah highlighted that shift, with LeBron dishing out 12 assists and looking every bit like one of the league’s top passers again.

Meanwhile, Reaves finished with just one assist, pointing toward a role where he focuses more on scoring than playmaking going forward.

JJ Redick finally has full LA Lakers roster available

James wasn’t the only one missing time, with Gabe Vincent also sidelined recently by an ankle injury.

Both were back in the lineup against the Jazz, giving head coach JJ Redick a healthy squad for the first time this season.

Redick kept Rui Hachimura in the starting five, moving Marcus Smart to the bench — though that’s a decision that could change depending on matchups throughout the year.

The second unit looks deeper regardless, with Jake LaRavia continuing to play well off the bench and helping round out a group that had struggled earlier in the year.

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