LOS ANGELES -- Lakers star LeBron James will make his season debut against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday, sources told ESPN, taking the court to begin a league-record 23rd season. The 40-year-old James was sidelined for the first 14 games of the season with sciatica, a nerve issue that affected his lower back and down the right side of his body.

The Indiana Pacers lost in the In-Season Tournament Finals to the Los Angeles Lakers, but they gained something vauable along the way. The Indiana Pacers lost in the In-Season Tournament Finals to the Los Angeles Lakers, but they gained something vauable ...

Los Angeles Lakers (40-30, seventh in the Western Conference) vs. Indiana Pacers (33-37, ninth in the Eastern Conference) Indianapolis; Saturday, 1 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Los Angeles will try to continue its three-game win streak with a victory against Indiana.

The Detroit Pistons were labeled as underdogs in the 2004 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Pistons were a solid basketball team, but the Lakers were stacked with generational and Hall of Fame talent. Analysts predicted the Purple & Gold would annihilate the “Motor City” squad and claim their fourth NBA championship in five seasons.

The Indiana Pacers host the Los Angeles Lakers tonight for the final meeting of the 2023-24 season between the two teams. Thanks to the In-Season Tournament title game, these squads have already faced off twice, and the Lakers have won both times.

Lakers rookie Adou Thiero tried to leave the court with the game ball as he scored his first NBA points. But game officials would not let him take it.

Giannis Antetokounmpo stepped in to give the Lakers the game ball for rookie Adou Thiero's first basket after officials refused to give the ball.

Indiana Pacers (12-8, fifth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (14-9, fifth in the Western Conference) Las Vegas; Saturday, 8:30 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Indiana seeks to prolong its three-game win streak with a victory over Los Angeles.