LeBron James has made his debut for the Los Angeles Lakers in a pre-season match-up with the Denver Nuggets.

James scored nine points, three assists and three rebounds in 15 first-half minutes for the Lakers, in front of a captivated sell-out crowd.

His first bucket for the team came with nine minutes left in the first quarter, when he scored a three-pointer from 26 feet.

A minute earlier he had made a bounce pass that found Brandon Ingram for a dunk.

The Lakers eventually fell 124-107 to the Nuggets – but will be hoping to fare better in their regular-season opener on October 18 against the Portland Trail Blazers.

James agreed a 154 million dollar (£116million) deal with the Lakers in June which saw him leave the Cleveland Cavaliers for a second time.

The 33-year-old had been with the Cavs for 11 seasons, taking a four-year break at the Miami Heat in 2010-2014.

The 14-time All Star averaged 27.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and 9.1 assists in 82 regular season games in 2017-18.