LOS ANGELES — In a surprising twist, Luka Doncic concluded the introductions for the Los Angeles Lakers, a privilege usually granted to LeBron James. As Doncic made his entrance onto the dimly lit court surrounded by his new teammates, the fans erupted into a thunderous cheer, proudly wearing golden shirts adorned with his name and number.
The atmosphere moved even the seasoned star. “I felt a bit anxious before the game,” Doncic shared. “I can’t recall the last time I experienced nerves like that. But stepping onto the court turned everything into pure enjoyment; it was just an amazing feeling.”
Doncic’s maiden appearance with the Lakers was both short and sweet on Monday night, generating excitement for his future in Los Angeles. He managed to score 14 points in a mere 23 minutes, seamlessly integrating with James and the team as they triumphed over the Utah Jazz with a score of 132-113. He also recorded five rebounds and four assists, including a stunning long-distance pass to James for a layup right before halftime.
Having missed nearly seven weeks due to an injury, Doncic expressed his gratitude for returning to basketball and starting to adapt to his new life after the recent trade from the Dallas Mavericks, which sent shockwaves through the sports community.
The crowd showed immense support as they applauded Doncic multiple times during the game, many donning No. 77 jerseys. However, it was the moment of his pregame introduction that left a lasting impression. “The level of cheering in the arena was absolutely incredible,” Doncic said. “That moment, coupled with playing again, was my favorite part.”
Before the game, James had reached out to Doncic, offering assistance, and Doncic took him up on the offer for the final player introduction. He playfully noted that they would swap roles during the Lakers’ next home game. “It shows what kind of person he is; he let me have my moment,” Doncic remarked.
Doncic kicked off his gameplay with a three-pointer shortly after stepping onto the court for his second shot. He helped the Lakers build a substantial 25-point lead at halftime and remained on the bench for the rest of the game as his team maintained control for their sixth consecutive victory.
This was Doncic’s first match since sustaining a left calf strain during a game on Christmas. Now fully recuperated and settled in Los Angeles after a week-long adjustment, he joined a formidable starting lineup that included James, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Jaxson Hayes. The Lakers had already been thriving, winning 11 out of their last 13 games—even before integrating the talented five-time All-NBA player.
As a precaution, Doncic was under a minutes restriction due to the previous injury. His legs weren’t at peak performance yet—he went only 1 for 7 on three-pointers during his debut—but his abilities in playmaking instantly synced with his new teammates.
His debut was marked by an alley-oop assist to Hayes on his first possession, followed by that early three-pointer. The crowd voiced their support with chants of “Luka! Luka!” frequently throughout the match.
Reaves, who scored 22 points, expressed excitement about the offensive synergy the Lakers could achieve, noting, “Luka is one of the best passers globally, and I believe the basketball IQ we have combined with this lineup will work well. (Doncic and James) both have the ability to shoot, pass, and understand the game intricately.”
Among the fans that night was Dirk Nowitzki, who shared one season with Doncic in Dallas and took on a mentorship role. Doncic was widely viewed as the natural successor to Nowitzki’s legacy until the recent decision by Dallas’s management shifted his trajectory.
Coach JJ Redick, who played alongside Doncic in the Mavericks for a brief period, praised Doncic’s composure and composure during this essential game. “For Luka, this was probably a nerve-racking experience—playing for the Lakers for the first time and generating the hype in this venue, but he managed admirably and performed excellently tonight. He made it about good team play rather than drawing attention to himself.”
LeBron James, returning from an injury for Monday’s game, joined his team in a back-to-back series against the Jazz before heading into the All-Star break.
“I can’t envision a scenario where having both of them play together isn’t beneficial,” stated Utah’s coach Will Hardy. “Their mental processing is outstanding, and they’ll quickly figure out how to gel together.”
Having watched three consecutive Lakers wins from the bench since arriving in Los Angeles, Doncic witnessed the team’s growth. Reaves had previously scored a career-high 45 points in a victory over Indiana 124-117 while both Doncic and James rested.
On the day of his debut, Doncic also made headlines by donating $500,000 to aid fire recovery efforts in Los Angeles, immediately showing his commitment to the community after wildfires ravaged parts of Southern California last month. “Seeing the destruction caused by the wildfires was heartbreaking,” Doncic said in a message from his foundation. “I’m disheartened for all the kids who have lost their homes, schools, and play areas.”
He concluded his message with a friendly note, signing off as “Your new neighbor.”
