Luka Doncic scored 14 points in limited playing time during her debut with the Lakers on Monday night, joining the starting lineup alongside LeBron James, 132-113 at the Utah Jazz in Los Angeles It was played immediately during the 113 victory.
Doncic got multiple standing ovations wearing thousands of gold T-shirts from the Los Angeles crowds, his name and number 77. :07 left in the third quarter, with the Lakers winning six consecutive times.
The first bucket of the Slovenian superstar was three pointers, the opening few minutes into the Lakers’ second shot. Doncic finished with five rebounds and four assists, but nothing was more clean than a three-quarter court strike to James for a layup in the second half.
The game was Doncic’s first in nearly seven weeks after nervously straining the left calf at Christmas, which shocked the world of sports by trading the 25-year-old centerpiece with an NBA scoring champion. . The Lakers gave up Anthony Davis and Max Christie.
After settling down and returning to full strength a week later, Doncic joined James, Austin Raves, Louis Hachimura and Jackson Hayes. into their lineup.
Doncic only played 23 minutes as the Lakers deliberately brought him back from his injury. His feet aren’t there yet – he went 7-1 on a 3-point attempt in his debut – but his playmaking soon joined his new teammate.
Coach JJ Redick, who played with Doncic in 13 games against the Dallas Mavericks in 2021, wanted to see what Doncic would do in his much historic debut with his new team.
“The excitement level is high,” Reddick said. “Nothing will change to our approach or Utah’s game plan. Integrating is always an in-season challenge and we must be able to give each other patience.”
Doncic was not disappointed. His first touch was an assist in the alley to Hayes, and he hit a three-pointer in the instant. He sang “Luka! Luka!” the first deadball hymn, and several times after that.
The crowd overlapped with Doncic in Dallas and overlapped for a season in Dallas, where he served as his mentor. Doncic appeared to be the natural heir to the incredible run of the German Hall of Fame, until Nico Harrison, the current Mavericks general manager, decided otherwise.
Donsic played the first 6:56 before checking out with James. Perhaps it is a coincidence due to a few minutes of limitations while Doncic is returning to full power. The Lakers are expected to have one of their superstars on the floor almost always when Donsic is speeding up.
“I feel like it’s the best so far that Luka is back to playing NBA action,” Reddick said. “If that were to be left to Luka, I think he’ll probably play 48 minutes, but we’re thinking about it for the long term and wanting to be safe.”
Doncic returned in the first half with about eight minutes left. He helped the Lakers get a big lead on several key plays.
Everyone received Doncic’s T-shirts and marked the opportunity at the Lakers’ Downtown Arena.
Doncic warmed up for about 10 minutes before the game, so dozens of cameras followed, while Lakers Arena played Serbian music that preferred pre-game training. The Lakers introduced him last before the game, giving him a place normally reserved for James, which led to another standing ovation.
James returned from a one-game injury absence on Monday when the Lakers began a home and home set with the Jazz heading for an All-Star break.
“I don’t think any of us know exactly what it looks like,” Utah coach Will Hardy said. We’ve seen it before, so I’m sure they’ll understand it. ”
Doncic has seen the Straight Lakers wins three times from the bench since arriving in Los Angeles a week ago. The Reaves scored a career-high 45 points, earning Doncic and James past Indiana 124-117 on Saturday.
Doncic gave $500,000 on Monday to donate recovery efforts in the new community, quickly making an impression with his pledge to support the damage caused by the ramp-stretched wildfire that destroyed parts of Southern California last month. Ta. .
“When I landed in LA, it was very sad to see more about the damage from the wildfire,” Doncic wrote on his Luka Doncic Foundation social media channel. “I can’t believe it. I feel to all the kids who lost their home, school and the place they had been playing with friends. Today, my foundation has put $500,000 on an immediate recovery effort. Donations. I am also committed. I help rebuild the destroyed courts, playgrounds and fields as all children need a safe place.
“To all those affected by these fires: we are here to help now, now and for the long term.”
Doncic signed his note: “Your new neighbor.”
Doncic’s initial donation is to the Community Foundation Wildfire Recovery Fund. He also plans to donate “large additional funds over the next two years” with a focus on restructuring the children’s play space, according to a spokesman.
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