LeBron James and Lonzo Ball got the opportunity to play together for the first time as Los Angeles Lakers sent out a statement with a 123-113 victory over defending NBA champions Golden State Warriors in pre-season.

Point guard Ball has been sidelined over recent weeks after the undergoing knee surgery but he returned to the court at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Wednesday night and got the chance to link up with James for the first time.

The duo quickly established a strong understanding, which was at its most evident when James set Ball up for an alley-oop dunk by playing a pass that most players would not even have attempted.

James is excited by the quality of 20-year-old Ball although he believes he still has work to do as he continues his comeback from surgery.

“I thought those first few minutes was definitely rough on his wind, getting back in a game situation,” James told Spectrum Sportsnet regarding Ball’s return.

“He settled in and his ability to see the floor, his ability to push the ball and his athleticism, which you see on the lob catch from myself, and then defensively, he has some very quick hands. It’s great to have him back on the floor.”

The Lakers continue their pre-season preparations when they take on Golden State again at the SAP Center on Friday.

Another victory over the defending champions would further underline the Lakers’ chances of claiming glory themselves this season and they are priced at 12.00 to win a first NBA Championship since 2010.