LeBron James Stats Tonight: How did Lakers superstar perform vs. former team Cavaliers? (Dec. 31)

LeBron James returned to action on Tuesday after missing the previous game as the LA Lakers took on his former team Cleveland Cavaliers at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on New Year's Eve.

He was in his all-around self as he helped his team put up a tough stand before bowing 122-110. The 40-year-old superstar missed the game against the Sacramento Kings on Saturday because of an illness and was a game-time decision against the Cavaliers. He was made available and posted 23 points, seven assists, four rebounds and a block in 35 minutes in his return.

LeBron James' stats against the Cleveland Cavaliers:

Austin Reaves led the way for the Lakers with a near triple-double of 35 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds. Anthony Davis had a double-double of 28 points and 13 rebounds.

For the Eastern Conference-leading Cavaliers, it was Jarrett Allen who led the way with 27 points. The defeat to the Cavaliers halted a two-game ascent for James and Co., dropping them 18-14 for the season. They next play on Thursday at home against the Portland Trail Blazers.

LeBron James high on latest trade that Lakers made

The game against the Cleveland Cavaliers was the first time LeBron James played alongside new Lakers acquisitions Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton after the trade that sent them to Los Angeles early this week. It was a move ‘The King’ is high on, considering what the new players can bring to their campaign.

Finney-Smith and Milton were acquired by the Lakers from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis and three second-round picks. Ahead of their game against the Cavaliers on New Years Eve, LeBron James shared his thoughts on the Lakers’ move, highlighting how it was tough to see Russell and Lewis go but at the same time he is looking forward to what his new teammates would bring.

The four-time NBA champion said (via Lakers Nation):

“First of all, shoutout to DLo and Max Lew. Obviously brothers of ours and you hate to see anyone leave at any point in the season.

“To piggyback what you said, obviously they (Finney-Smith and Lewis) bring experience, they bring toughness and guys that played in big games that mastered their roles throughout their career. And I’m looking forward to them getting into our system and making an immediate impact whenever their number is called. So that should be fun.”

In their first game as Lakers, Finney-Smith and Milton were eased into the rotation, playing 20 and 11 minutes, respectively. Finney-Smith finished with two points, two rebounds and two assists while Milton had six points and two rebounds.