LOS ANGELES — Luka Doncic struggled to find his rhythm in his third game since joining the Los Angeles Lakers, which contributed to their disappointing 100-97 defeat against the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night. Despite the loss, the Lakers’ players remain optimistic and are not overly concerned about Doncic’s performance.
Doncic ended the game with 14 points, shooting just 5-for-18 overall and making only one of nine attempts from beyond the arc. Alongside his scoring, he contributed 11 rebounds and eight assists but also had a challenging night, turning the ball over six times and committing five fouls during 33 minutes of action. This was his longest game since being traded from Dallas, a major move that has stirred expectations among fans.
“It’s a process, obviously,” Doncic acknowledged after the game. “I had quite a bit of rust. I started off with a few turnovers, which can’t happen. It’s about playing the game the right way.” Frustration was evident for the star player, who made his return to the court after a six-and-a-half-week recovery due to a calf injury. Whenever he successfully made a shot against the Hornets, it was clear that he felt both relieved and still a touch frustrated.
Overall, Doncic has struggled to find his shooting touch since joining the Lakers, making only 16 field goals out of 45 attempts. His three-point shooting is particularly concerning, as he has only managed to hit 5 out of 24 long-range shots, and his two home games have been even tougher, with only 2 out of 16 from beyond the arc, leaving fans disappointed after each miss.
Back-to-back defeats against lower-ranked teams like Utah and Charlotte have raised some eyebrows, especially given that Los Angeles had enjoyed a hot streak of 10 wins out of 11 games prior to these losses. Nevertheless, veteran LeBron James has expressed confidence in Doncic’s ability to adjust. “This is his third game overall and with us since Christmas,” James pointed out. “He’s still getting accustomed to our system, the plays, and all the signals we’ve developed since September. We’re coming together, and he’s regaining his form.”
Despite the frustrations, there were some positive aspects to Doncic’s performance against Charlotte, particularly given that he was not on a minutes restriction for the first time since returning from injury. He led the team in rebounds, and his plus-13 rating was the best on the Lakers despite the turnovers.
“He just needs to feel comfortable being himself,” teammate Austin Reaves stated. “He’s one of the best players in the world. It’s going to take some time for us to figure out how to maximize what he brings, but we can do it fairly quickly.” In a crucial late-game moment, Doncic was the one to inbound the ball to James, who unfortunately missed two critical attempts from three-point range in the game’s final moments. Doncic expressed no issues with this late-game strategy, mentioning, “He was in rhythm, so we went to him. It can swing both ways depending on how the game flows.”
The Lakers made headlines when they traded for Doncic on February 2, trading away star Anthony Davis in a blockbuster deal. Doncic participated in the final two games before the All-Star break, but with just 47 minutes of play over those games, the Lakers focused on gradually reintegrating him into their lineup. Following the All-Star break, he took time to refresh his mind and spirit, eager to return to the sport after a lengthy absence.
“I’m just excited to come back and play,” Doncic shared. “I’ve never missed this much time; it’s been a new experience for me. But I’m thrilled to be back on the court.” He won’t have a chance to dwell on his slow start, as the Lakers are set to travel to Portland for their next game, followed by a trip to Denver. The team’s next home game is particularly notable as it will see Doncic face off against his former team, the Mavericks.
As the impact of his midseason trade begins to settle, Doncic is looking forward to what lies ahead. “The Lakers are one of the greatest clubs in the world, and I’m truly happy to be here,” he remarked. “I know I’ll need some time to adjust, but I’m proud to represent the Lakers.”
