Doncic Mania Hits Los Angeles as Superstar Debuts in Lakers’ Rout of Jazz
The Luka Doncic era in Los Angeles has officially begun, and the atmosphere surrounding his debut was nothing short of electric, The Associated Press reports.
In a surprising move, the Lakers broke with tradition Monday night, introducing Doncic as the final starter ahead of LeBron James, a testament to the excitement surrounding the arrival of the five-time All-NBA selection.
As Doncic emerged into the spotlight, jogging through a tunnel of teammates on a darkened court, the roaring crowd, clad in thousands of gold T-shirts emblazoned with his name and number 77, welcomed their newest star.
Even for a player of Doncic’s caliber, the magnificence of the moment was palpable.
Doncic’s debut, though brief, offered a tantalizing glimpse of what’s to come, leaving fans and teammates alike buzzing with anticipation for the future. The Lakers dominated the Utah Jazz 132-113, with Doncic contributing 14 points in just 23 minutes of play, seamlessly integrating into the flow of the offense alongside James and the rest of the team. He also added five rebounds and four assists, including a highlight-reel three-quarter-court pass to James for an easy layup.
Doncic expressed his gratitude to be back on the court after a nearly seven-week absence due to injury and for the opportunity to move forward following the shock trade that sent him from the Dallas Mavericks just ten days ago. While the standing ovations from the Staples Center crowd were appreciated, the unconventional pregame introduction clearly resonated deeply with the Slovenian star.
According to Doncic, James reached out to him earlier in the day, offering his support in any way possible. In a lighthearted exchange, Doncic requested to take the coveted final introduction spot, a gesture James readily agreed to. The two plan to switch roles for the Lakers’ next home game next week, Doncic revealed with a smile.
Doncic wasted no time making his presence felt, sinking a 3-pointer on his second shot attempt. He scored 11 points as Los Angeles surged to a commanding 25-point halftime lead. He sat down for good with 3:07 remaining in the third quarter with the Lakers firmly in control, extending their winning streak to six games.
The game marked Doncic’s return after a strained left calf sidelined him since Christmas. Following a week to settle in Los Angeles and regain his fitness, Doncic joined James, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Jaxson Hayes in the starting lineup for the Lakers, who had already won 11 of their previous 13 games prior to his arrival.
Despite being on a minutes restriction due to his recent injury, Doncic’s playmaking was immediately evident. His first touch was an alley-oop assist to Hayes, followed shortly by his opening 3-pointer. Throughout the game, the crowd echoed with chants of “Luka! Luka!”
Among those in attendance was Dirk Nowitzki, who mentored Doncic during their one season together in Dallas. Many had envisioned Doncic as the natural successor to Nowitzki’s legendary run in Dallas, until Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison made the surprising decision to trade him.
Lakers coach JJ Redick, who played alongside Doncic for 13 games in 2021 with the Mavericks, praised Doncic’s composure and patience in what was undoubtedly a landmark game.
Prior to the game, Doncic made a significant contribution to his new community by donating $500,000 to fire recovery efforts in Southern California, showcasing his immediate commitment to helping those affected by the recent wildfires.
