The shock of the trade has still not yet worn off for many NBA fans. It was just nine days ago that it broke. Some woke up to the news, others were stunned in real time in the early morning hours of February 2.
Luka Doncic was a Laker. The trade has been scrutinized and criticized while Dallas Mavericks GM Nico Harrison has hired extra security due to the backlash for his choice to move his team’s top asset to Los Angeles.
And up until Monday night, it all still seemed unreal. Then, the 25-year-old Slovenian took the floor wearing Laker Gold for the first time. Here he was. Luka the Laker.
Doncic tried to make the most of the occasion, but there’s clear rust considering he hasn’t played in over a month. He finished with 14 points, five rebounds, and four assists across 23 minutes, as he made some form of an impact with his new team in a 132-113 demolition of the struggling Utah Jazz.
The tandem of LeBron and Luka was seen for the first time and worked like a charm. James finished the night with 24 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists to lead Los Angeles to the win.
‘Special moment,’ Doncic said on the court after the game. ‘There was a lot of noise when I was introduced and it really means a lot.’
NBA point guard Luka Doncic made his debut as a Lakers player on Monday evening
Doncic is coming off an injury he suffered with the Dallas Mavericks back in December
The NBA was treated to the debut of the LeBron-Luka tandem as they combined for 38 points
But all eyes were on Doncic, making his debut for his new team since being moved from Dallas to LA for Anthony Davis among other pieces.
Davis is already injured. The big man left his Mavericks debut injury due to pain in his abdominal muscles. He’s expected to miss an extended period of time.
Doncic, on the other hand, is coming off a calf injury. He hadn’t played since December – but rehabbed and recovered in order to make his debut on Monday.
Fans at Crypto.com Arena cheered as the Slovenian guard’s name was announced in the starting lineups. The sight of a purple No. 77 on that bright yellow jersey will still take time for some to get used to.
Mark it down – the first time that Doncic appears in a play-by-play in his momentous Lakers debut came with 10:34 remaining in the first quarter: ‘Luka Doncic bad pass (John Collins steals)’.
So, not the exact first impression you may have wanted. Maybe the next appearance in the scoresheet will be better?
‘9:46 – Luka Doncic misses 27-foot 3-point step back jumpshot.’ Oh well.
Luckily, third time was the charm. ‘8:05 – Luka Doncic makes 26-foot 3-point step back jumpshot UTAH 10, LAL 14.’ That’s more like it. Welcome to LA, Luka.
As is typical in Los Angeles, the stars came out at night to watch the new prodigal son of the Lakers. Adele, Will Ferrell, and Floyd Mayweather have all been seen courtside at Lakers games before.
Doncic stands for the American national anthem for the first time as a Lakers player
Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki watches on as Luka Doncic makes his Lakers debut
Doncic sank this 3-point shot – his first made basket as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers
But there’s one particularly interesting inclusion among the fans: Hall-of-Famer and Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki.
By halftime, the Lakers had built up such a substantial lead that coach JJ Redick was able to rest some of his better players.
After running for about 23-and-a-half minutes of game time, he subbed out Doncic with 3:07 remaining in the third quarter.
The guard put on a long-sleeved shirt, sat on the bench, and watched the rest of the night – unable to improve on his 5-of-14 shooting line or his 1-of-7 3-point shooting.
Rust could be expected and forgiven. After all, he hasn’t touched the court in a game since late December, just had to uproot his entire life because his former GM made a trade which lacks basic sense, and has to re-acclimate himself with an entirely new city.
So give Doncic some time. Was tonight a fairy tale? No, but it didn’t need to be. He built himself a base and there’s room for improvement.
But this isn’t the NBA Finals, it’s a game against one of the worst teams in the league.
Doncic will have plenty of time for Showtime. He’s destined for it.
