Luka Doncic struggled to seek out his rhythm in his third recreation with the Los Angeles Lakers, and never even LeBron James may decide up the slack.
Still, the Lakers insist there’s no trigger for concern after a humbling 100-97 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday evening.
Doncic managed simply 14 factors on 5-of-18 taking pictures, together with a dismal 1-for-9 from past the arc.
The Slovenian star grabbed 11 rebounds and dished out eight assists, however his six turnovers and 5 fouls marred his longest outing but – 33 minutes – since arriving in L.A. by way of a blockbuster commerce with Dallas.
“Obviously, it’s going to take a little time,” Doncic mentioned. “I was really rusty today. Started the game with four or five turnovers – can’t let that happen. Just need to play the right way.”
It was a irritating evening for Doncic, who remains to be shaking off the rust after lacking 6 1/2 weeks with a calf pressure suffered on Christmas. Every made shot appeared to deliver a mix of reduction and irritation, a reminder that he is nonetheless working his manner again to kind.
Doncic is 16-for-45 from the sphere in his three video games with the Lakers however simply 5-for-24 on 3-point makes an attempt – together with 2-for-16 in his two house video games, the place followers have buzzed with anticipation of every shot after which groaned at every clank.
Back-to-back losses to cellar-dwelling Utah and Charlotte are grim outcomes for a crew that had received 10 of 11, however the 40-year-old James isn’t involved about Doncic’s begin in purple and gold.
“It’s his third game since Christmas, and it’s his third game with us,” James mentioned. “He still doesn’t know all the plays. He doesn’t know all the defensive coverages, all the signals and things that we’ve built up since September. Obviously, we’re trying to fast-track it on the fly. He’s coming back from his injury. He’s getting back into form, so we’re working through it together.”
Not every part was grim about Doncic’s efficiency towards Charlotte, his first and not using a minutes restriction since his return. He led Los Angeles in rebounds, and his plus-13 ranking was the Lakers’ greatest regardless of his turnovers.
“He’s got to be comfortable being himself because he’s one of the best players in the world,” mentioned Austin Reaves, whose third-quarter ejection was swiftly adopted by the Hornets’ 22-1 run. “We need him to be him, and it’s just going to take a couple of games, a couple of weeks to figure out what that best looks like. But we can figure it out fairly quickly.”
With the sport on the road within the last seconds, Doncic inbounded the ball to James, who missed two 3-point makes an attempt within the final six seconds. Doncic had no drawback deferring in crunch time.
“He had it going, so obviously we’re going to go to him,” Doncic mentioned. “I think it’ll go both ways. One time it’s going to be him, and one time me. I think it depends on how the game is going.”
The Lakers acquired Doncic from the Mavericks on Feb. 2 in a seismic commerce that despatched Anthony Davis to Dallas.
Doncic performed in each of the Lakers’ last two video games earlier than the All-Star break, however he logged solely 47 whole minutes whereas the crew eased him again into competitors. He then acquired a number of days to recuperate whereas the NBA’s high gamers convened in San Francisco for the All-Star Game.
“Honestly, I was getting my mind off basketball a little bit,” Doncic mentioned. “I’m just excited to come back and play. I missed a lot of time. I’ve never missed this much time, so it was something new to me. Now I’m just excited to get back to play.”
Doncic received’t have time to dwell on his sluggish begin. The Lakers jumped on a airplane to Portland after their loss and can face the Trail Blazers on Thursday earlier than visiting Denver on Saturday.
And their subsequent house recreation? A matchup with the Mavericks on Tuesday.
With the shock of the midseason commerce fading, Doncic is keen to look forward.
“This is one of the greatest clubs in the world, and I’m just happy to be here,” Doncic mentioned. “Obviously, I’m going to need some time, but I’m happy to represent the Lakers.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com