Doncic victorious in Lakers debut
LOS ANGELES, United States — Luka Doncic made a winning start to his Los Angeles Lakers career on Monday (Tuesday), returning from injury with 14 points for his new team in a 132-113 drubbing of the Utah Jazz.
Slovenian superstar Doncic — who was traded to the Lakers by the Dallas Mavericks earlier this month in one of the most jaw-dropping deals in NBA history — was playing his first game since suffering a calf injury in December.
Luka Don?i?'s first game as a Laker is in the books!
— NBA (@NBA) February 11, 2025
14 PTS | 5 REB | 4 AST | 6th straight Lakers W
Just getting started on his new era in Los Angeles ???? pic.twitter.com/hsW0Nxao4F
The 25-year-old saw his time on court limited to 24 minutes, with Lakers head coach J.J. Redick saying beforehand the club would be cautious as they managed Doncic's fitness.
"I heard a lot of noise when I was introduced — it was a special moment," Doncic said afterwards of the reception by the Lakers home crowd.
There was a fleeting scare in the first quarter when Doncic required treatment to his left calf before heading to the locker room early in the quarter.
But the five-time All-Star returned to the court before eventually leaving the game late in the third quarter with the Lakers in control leading 93-69.
In his time on court, Doncic showed plenty of glimpses of the class that the Lakers hope will lead the team into a new era.
He scored his first points as a Laker with a superb 26-foot 3-pointer in the first quarter, and linked well throughout with LeBron James, who finished with 24 points.
The Lakers improved to 32-19 with the victory and sit in fifth place in the Western Conference. The Jazz, meanwhile, fell to 12-40 and are one place off the bottom of the table.
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