Luka Doncic Makes a Splash in Lakers Debut
Feb 11, 2025, 01:22 AM ET
LOS ANGELES — The buzz in the air was palpable as Luka Doncic took to the court for the first time as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. In a game that was as much about the spectacle as it was about the score, Doncic scored 14 points in limited playing time during his debut. The Lakers, with Doncic in the starting lineup alongside LeBron James, cruised to a 132-113 victory over the Utah Jazz.
The Los Angeles crowd, decked out in thousands of gold T-shirts emblazoned with Doncic’s name and No. 77, erupted in multiple standing ovations. Even LeBron James joined in the spirit, warming up in the same shirt that was distributed to fans. “I didn’t play in a long time … all the Luka jerseys, it was just a surreal feeling,” Doncic reflected after the game.
Doncic’s impact was immediate. He scored 11 points in the first half, helping the Lakers to a commanding 25-point lead by halftime. His night ended with 3:07 left in the third quarter, as the Lakers were comfortably ahead, marking their sixth consecutive victory.
The Slovenian superstar’s first bucket was a 3-pointer, a fitting start for his new chapter in Los Angeles. He also contributed five rebounds and four assists, including a stunning three-quarter-court pass to James for a layup late in the first half.
This game marked Doncic’s return to the court after nearly seven weeks, following a strained left calf injury on Christmas while with the Dallas Mavericks. The trade that brought Doncic to the Lakers shocked the sports world, as the Mavericks parted with their 25-year-old centerpiece and NBA scoring champion.
After a week to acclimate and regain full strength, Doncic joined James, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Jaxson Hayes as starters for the Lakers, who had already won 11 of their last 13 games before adding Doncic, a five-time All-NBA selection, to their roster.
Doncic played only 24 minutes as the Lakers cautiously managed his return from injury. His shooting legs weren’t quite there yet, as evidenced by his 1-for-7 performance on 3-point attempts, but his playmaking skills were on full display, seamlessly integrating with his new teammates.
“I think he handled it well,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick, who had played alongside Doncic for 13 games in 2021 with the Mavericks. “Knowing Luka, there was probably a little bit of nerves playing for the Lakers for the first time … I thought he’s handled it really well and he played really well tonight.”
Redick, along with many in Los Angeles, was eager to see Doncic’s much-anticipated debut. Doncic didn’t disappoint, starting with an alley-oop assist to Hayes and following it up with a 3-pointer. The crowd, including Dirk Nowitzki, who had mentored Doncic in Dallas, chanted “Luka! Luka!” at every opportunity.
“For him to show up, great friend, great mentor … I really, really appreciate it,” Doncic said of Nowitzki’s presence.
Doncic’s minutes were carefully managed, checking out alongside James after the first 6:56 of play. The Lakers plan to have one of their superstars on the floor at nearly all times once Doncic is fully up to speed.
“Feel like it’s best right now to ease Luka back in to playing NBA action,” Redick said before the game. “I think if it was up to Luka, he would probably play 48 minutes, but we’re thinking long-term and we want to be safe.”
Doncic returned to the game with about eight minutes left in the first half, contributing several key plays to help the Lakers build their lead.
Before the game, Doncic was the center of attention, followed by dozens of cameras as he warmed up to his favorite Serbian music. The Lakers introduced him last, a spot usually reserved for James, leading to another standing ovation. James had texted Doncic about the player introductions, offering to let him go last for his debut. Doncic appreciated the gesture, noting that it would return to James in future games.
“He let me have my moment,” Doncic said of James, who returned from a one-game injury absence as the Lakers began a home-and-home set with the Jazz heading into the All-Star break.
Off the court, Doncic made an immediate impact in his new community by donating $500,000 to fire recovery efforts in Southern California, where recent wildfires had caused significant damage, including the loss of Redick’s home. “It’s been so sad to see and learn more about the damage from the wildfires as I landed in LA,” 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. Today, my foundation is donating $500,000 to immediate recovery efforts. I am also committed to helping rebuild courts, playgrounds and fields that were destroyed, because every kid needs a safe place to play.
“To everyone affected by these fires: we’re here to help, now and for the long haul.”
Doncic signed his note: “Your new neighbor.”
His initial donation is being made to the Community Foundation Wildfire Recovery Fund, with plans for “significant additional funding over the next two years” focused on rebuilding children’s play spaces, according to a spokesperson.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Originally Written by: ESPN.com
