Luka Doncic made a strong first impression in his debut with the Los Angeles Lakers, scoring 14 points in a 132-113 victory over the Utah Jazz on Monday night. The Slovenian superstar, playing alongside LeBron James, quickly adapted to his new team and received an enthusiastic welcome from the Lakers’ home crowd.
A Warm Welcome for Doncic
The Crypto.com Arena was packed with fans donning gold T-shirts featuring Doncic’s name and his new number, 77.
LeBron James, who wore the same fan-distributed shirt during warm-ups, showed his support for his new teammate.
“I haven’t played in a long time … all the Luka jerseys, it was just a surreal feeling,” Doncic said after the game.
Strong Performance in Limited Minutes
Doncic played just 23 minutes as the Lakers carefully managed his return from a calf injury.
He scored 11 points in the first half, helping the Lakers establish a dominant 25-point halftime lead.
His first basket was a three-pointer in the opening minutes.
He finished the night with five rebounds and four assists, including a highlight-reel full-court pass to James for a layup.
Adjustment to Lakers’ Lineup
The Lakers’ starting lineup featured Doncic, James, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Jaxson Hayes.
Head coach JJ Redick praised Doncic’s performance: “Knowing Luka, there was probably a little bit of nerves playing for the Lakers for the first time … but I thought he handled it really well and played really well tonight.”
Despite some rust (1-for-7 from three-point range), Doncic’s playmaking fit well with the team’s offensive flow.
A Night of Surprises
Dirk Nowitzki, Doncic’s former mentor in Dallas, was in attendance to support him.
The Lakers introduced Doncic last in the starting lineup, a spot usually reserved for LeBron James.
James even texted Doncic before the game, offering to switch back after the debut: “He let me have my moment.”
Off-Court Contributions: Giving Back to Los Angeles
Before the game, Doncic donated $500,000 to wildfire recovery efforts in Southern California.
His donation will support rebuilding homes, schools, and playgrounds affected by the recent wildfires.
“To everyone affected by these fires: we’re here to help, now and for the long haul,” Doncic wrote in a heartfelt message.
Looking Ahead
The Lakers are taking a cautious approach with Doncic’s minutes as he regains full fitness.
With Doncic and James leading the team, the Lakers have now won six consecutive games and 12 of their last 14.
Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how Doncic and the Lakers perform in the upcoming games as they push for playoff success.
Conclusion
Luka Doncic’s debut with the Lakers was a success, both on and off the court. His playmaking, scoring ability, and commitment to the community have already made an impact. As he settles into his new role, Lakers fans have plenty to be excited about for the remainder of the season.
Sources: ESPN, NBA.com, Los Angeles Times