Luka Doncic took middle stage in Hollywood, incomes the Lakers’ closing starter introduction – an honor sometimes reserved for LeBron James. As he jogged onto the dimly lit courtroom by way of a hall of teammates, hundreds of gold-clad followers erupted, his identify and quantity emblazoned throughout the world.
Even a younger celebrity couldn’t ignore the load of the second.
“I was a little nervous before,” Doncic admitted. “I don’t remember the last time I was nervous before a game. But once I stepped on the court again, it was fun. Just being out there felt amazing.”
His Lakers debut was quick however electrical, providing a tantalizing glimpse of what’s to return. In simply 23 minutes, Doncic put up 14 factors, 5 rebounds and 4 assists – together with a blinding three-quarter-court dime to James – seamlessly becoming into Los Angeles’ 132-113 win over the Utah Jazz.
Doncic was grateful to be enjoying basketball after practically seven weeks away with harm, and he was glad to maneuver previous the upheaval in his life for the reason that Dallas Mavericks shocked the sports activities world 10 days in the past by buying and selling their 25-year-old centerpiece and NBA scoring champion.
Doncic acquired a number of standing ovations from a Los Angeles crowd sporting hundreds of No. 77 shirts, however his pregame introduction was one thing he’ll bear in mind for a very long time.
“Just the amount of cheering in the arena was absolutely unbelievable,” Doncic mentioned. “That was my favorite part – and to play again.”
Doncic mentioned James texted him within the morning and supplied to assist in any means. Doncic took him up on it by taking the ultimate intro spot. They’ll swap for the Lakers’ subsequent dwelling sport subsequent week, Doncic mentioned with a smile.
“Shows what kind of person he is,” Doncic mentioned. “He let me have my moment.”
The Slovenian star’s first bucket was a 3-pointer within the opening minutes on his second shot. He scored 11 factors whereas Los Angeles constructed a 25-point halftime lead, and he sat down for good with 3:07 left within the third quarter because the Lakers cruised to their sixth straight win.
The sport was Doncic’s first since he strained his left calf on Christmas. After a full week to settle in Los Angeles and regain full energy, Doncic joined James, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Jaxson Hayes within the beginning lineup for the surging Lakers, who had received 11 of 13 even earlier than including a five-time All-NBA choice.
The Lakers have Doncic on a minutes restriction after his harm absence. His legs aren’t fairly there but – he went 1 for 7 on 3-point makes an attempt in his debut – however his playmaking instantly meshed together with his new teammates.
Doncic’s first contact was an alley-oop help to Hayes, and he hit his 3-pointer moments later. He was serenaded with “Luka! Luka!” chants on the first lifeless ball – and a number of other instances thereafter.
“I just think it could be a thing of beauty, the way we can manipulate the game on the offensive end and get what we want every single possession,” mentioned Reaves, who scored 22 factors. “Luka is one of the best passers in the world … but yeah, I think it’s just the high-level IQ going along with pieces that really fit. (Doncic and James) can shoot the ball, pass the ball and really play the right way.”
Among the group was Dirk Nowitzki, who overlapped with Doncic for one season in Dallas and served as his mentor. Doncic gave the impression to be the pure inheritor to the German Hall of Famer’s unbelievable run in Dallas – till Mavericks basic supervisor Nico Harrison determined in any other case.
Coach JJ Redick, who performed alongside Doncic for 13 video games in 2021 with the Mavericks, praised Doncic’s poise and persistence in a landmark sport.
“Knowing Luka, whether he will admit this or not, there was probably a little bit of nerves playing for the Lakers for the first time, and the anticipation that this building had,” Redick mentioned. “I thought he handled it really well, and he played really well tonight. … He didn’t make it about Luka. He made it about playing good basketball and playing Lakers basketball.”
James returned from a one-game harm absence Monday because the Lakers started a home-and-home set with the Jazz heading into the All-Star break.
“I don’t see any world where those two playing together isn’t a good thing,” Utah coach Will Hardy mentioned. “Their processing speed mentally is incredible, and so I’m sure they’ll figure it out.”
Doncic had watched three straight Lakers victories from the bench since arriving in Los Angeles every week in the past. Reaves scored a career-high 45 factors to steer the Lakers previous Indiana 124-117 on Saturday with out Doncic or James, who sat out to relaxation his sore ankle.
Doncic started Monday by donating $500,000 to fireplace restoration efforts in his new neighborhood, making a direct impression together with his pledge to assist after wildfires devastated components of Southern California final month – together with Pacific Palisades, the place Redick’s dwelling was misplaced.
“It’s been so sad to see and learn more about the damage from the wildfires as I landed in L.A.,” Doncic wrote on his Luka Doncic Foundation’s social media channels. “I can’t believe it, and I feel for all the kids who lost their homes, schools and the places where they used to play with their friends.”
Doncic signed his word: “Your new neighbor.”
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