Luka Doncic’s debut with the Los Angeles Lakers was nothing short of special. The Slovenian superstar admitted to feeling a bit nervous before the game but quickly eased into the action once he stepped on the court.
“It was amazing to see the way they received me,” Doncic said postgame. “I was a little nervous before, but once I stepped on the court, it was fun. Just being out there again felt amazing.”
The moment was especially emotional for Doncic when LeBron James, before tip-off, told him to be himself, not try to fit in, but rather “fit out.” Doncic, clearly moved by the gesture, shared how it gave him confidence.
“It’s special. For him to say something like that just feels amazing, gives me confidence,” Doncic recalled. “After that speech, it was chills. So I was happy to be a part of it.”
Playing alongside James, Doncic sees the game through a unique lens. He praised James for his unparalleled basketball IQ, recognizing how their combined presence will benefit the Lakers.
“He sees the game in a different way than a lot of people. His IQ is insane,” Doncic said. “Having two guys like that on the court is going to help the whole team.”
The Lakers (32-19) made quick work of the Utah Jazz (12-40) in Doncic’s debut, winning 132-113. James led the charge with 24 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds, while Austin Reaves added 22 points.
Despite only playing just under 24 minutes due to precautionary measures following a calf strain, Doncic still contributed with 14 points, five rebounds, and four assists. The Lakers extended their win streak to six games, showing dominance from start to finish.
The Lakers shot an impressive 54.3% from the field, with seven players reaching double figures. Doncic made an impact right away, setting up an alley-oop for Jaxson Hayes just 50 seconds into the game. Later, he connected with LeBron on a full-court pass that led to a transition layup before halftime.
Though Doncic faced some rust, hitting only 1-of-7 from three-point range, he remained efficient overall, shooting 5-of-14 from the field.
Los Angeles led by as many as 34 points, overwhelming Utah throughout. Rui Hachimura added 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting, while Jordan Goodwin came off the bench for 17 points.
Utah struggled to find their rhythm, with Lauri Markkanen and John Collins both scoring 17 points. Walker Kessler posted 13 points and 12 rebounds, but the Jazz couldn’t mount a serious challenge.
The game was attended by a star-studded crowd, including celebrities like Adele, Will Ferrell, and Dirk Nowitzki, who received a warm reception from Lakers fans.
