Kings-Lakers gameday: LeBron James returns to Sacramento on 20th anniversary of NBA debut

Jason Anderson
·3 min read
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Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James made his NBA debut in Sacramento on Oct. 29, 2003.

James will return to face the Kings at Golden 1 Center on Sunday — the 20th anniversary of his first NBA game — as the league’s all-time leading scorer with 38,694 points.

James is beginning his 21st season with his 39th birthday coming up on Dec. 30. He is a four-time NBA champion, four-time NBA Finals MVP and four-time NBA MVP with 19 All-Star appearances and 19 All-NBA selections.

James came out of St. Vincent-St. Mary High School as the No. 1 pick in the 2003 NBA draft. He was 18 when he made his NBA debut in a season opener at Arco Arena. The young phenom finished with 25 points, six rebounds, nine assists and four steals in a 106-92 loss to the Kings.

LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers puts up a shot against Vlade Divac of the Sacramento Kings during an NBA basketball game on Oct. 29, 2003 at Arco Arena in Sacramento.
LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers puts up a shot against Vlade Divac of the Sacramento Kings during an NBA basketball game on Oct. 29, 2003 at Arco Arena in Sacramento.

“It was unbelievable,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham told Los Angeles media on Saturday. “I think it was a nationally televised game. He came out and played well. Really well. So it’s amazing how time flies. I wonder if he’s aware of that. I’m sure people have hit him up to remind him.

“It’s amazing, man, the journey from that point. All of the hoopla, the hype, the expectations that were placed on him at such a young age. For him to not only surpass them, but just create a whole new world. The ‘LeBron James World’ where he took everything and tenfold and super exceeded everyone’s expectations. It’s good to see him still here competing at a high level. I’m sure it’ll bring back a lot of memories for him once he’s made aware of it.”

Vezenkov settling in

This will be a season full of first encounters for Sasha Vezenkov, the 28-year-old rookie who signed with the Kings over the summer after winning the EuroLeague MVP award with Olympiacos last season.

Vezenkov will face James for the first time when the Kings play the Lakers on Sunday. Vezenkov figures to be part of Sacramento’s rotation again with Trey Lyles still sidelined by a calf injury. Lyles missed the first two games against the Utah Jazz and Golden State Warriors after suffering a left calf strain during the preseason.

Vezenkov had some shaky moments during the preseason, but now he seems to be settling in and growing more comfortable by the day. The 6-foot-8, 225-pound forward came off the bench to score 10 points in 12 minutes in Friday’s 122-114 loss to the Warriors. He made 4 of 6 field-goal attempts and 2 of 4 from 3-point range.

Vezenkov had eight points with two rebounds and two steals in his NBA debut against the Jazz on Wednesday. He made 3 of 6 from the field in that game and knocked down two of his five 3-point attempts.

Lakers at Kings

When: 6 p.m.

Where: Golden 1 Center

TV: NBC Sports California

Radio: Sactown Sports 1140

Odds: Kings -2.5

Over/under: 234

Injury report

Lakers: PROBABLE — Cam Reddish (foot). OUT — Jalen Hood-Schifino (patella); Jarred Vanderbilt (heel).

Kings: OUT — Trey Lyles (calf).

Upcoming schedule

Oct. 29 vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Nov. 1 at Golden State Warriors

Nov. 4 at Houston Rockets

Nov. 6 at Houston Rockets

Nov. 8 vs. Portland Trail Blazers