Luka Doncic debuts in Lakers and quickly connects with LeBron James in a 132-113 win over Utah

Los Angeles (AP) – Luka Doncic scored 14 points in limited playing time during his debut with Lakers Monday night, joining their starting lineup with LeBron James and immediately entered the stream during Los Angeles’ 132-113 victory Over the Utah Jazz.

Doncic got several standing ovations from a Los Angeles audience wearing thousands of gold t-shirts with his name and No. 77. He scored 11 points while Lakers striped out to a 25-point half-time line and he sat down too well with 3: 07 Back in the third quarter of Lakers far ahead in their sixth win in a row.

The Slovenian superstars First bucket was a 3-pointer In the opening minutes on his second shot for Lakers. Doncic ended with five rebounds and four assists more beautiful than a three-quarter court strike to James for a set-up late in the first half.

The game was Doncic’s first in nearly seven weeks since he strained his left calf at Christmas with Mavericks that shocked the sports world by Trading in their 25-year-old midpoint and NBA scoring champion. The grateful lakers gave up Anthony Davis and Max Christie.

After a whole week to settle down and return to full strength, Doncic joined James, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Jaxson Hayes as starters for the streaking lakers who had won 11 of 13 even before adding a five-time All-NBA choices for their lineup.

Doncic played only 23 minutes as Lakers consciously brings him back from his injury. His legs are not quite there yet-he went 1 for 7 on 3-point attempt in his debut-but his playmaking immediately joined his new teammates.

Coach JJ Redick, who played with Doncic in 13 games in 2021 with Dallas Mavericks, was eager to see what Doncic would do in his very hyped debut with his new team.

“The voltage level is high,” Redick said. “I don’t think anything in our approach or game plan for Utah changes. It is always a challenge in the season to integrate and we have to be able to give each other patience to it. “

Doncic did not disappoint: His first touch was a Gyde-Oop Assist to Hayes and he hit his 3-Pointer moments later. He was serenated with “Luka! Luka! “Song at the first dead ball and then several times.

This audience included Dirk Nowitzki, who overlapped with Doncic for a season in Dallas and served as his mentor. Doncic seemed to be the natural heir to the German Hall of Famer’s incredible race in Dallas – until the current Maverick’s general manager Nico Harrison decided otherwise.

Doncic played the first 6:56 before checking with James – probably a coincidence due to Doncic’s minute limitation while returning to full strength. Lakers are expected to have one of their superstars on the floor almost all times when Doncic is at speed.

“Feels that it is best right now to ease Luke back to playing NBA action,” Redick said. “I think if it was up to Luka, he would probably play 48 minutes, but we are thinking in the long term and we will be safe.”

Doncic returned with about eight minutes back in the first half, and he helped Lakers on his way to a big lead with multiple key playbacks.

Everyone received a Doncic T-shirt to mark the apartment at Lakers’ center of Arena-Inclusive James, which warmed up before the game in gold # 77 shirt.

Doncic was followed by dozens of cameras as he warmed up about 10 minutes before the game, and Lakers’ Arena played the Serbian music he favors for pregame training. Lakers introduced him last before the game, giving him the place usually reserved for James, which led to another standing ovation.

James returned from a one-game injury absence on Monday when Lakers began a home-and-home set with jazz on its way into the All-Star break.

“I don’t think any of us know exactly what it will look like,” said Utah Coach Will Hardy. “I assume it will look good. (Doncic and James) are two of the best thinkers, problem solvers that we have ever seen. So yes, I seem to be preparing for it is a little weird. … but I don’t see any world where these two playing together is not a good thing. As I said, their treatment speed is mentally incredible, and that’s why I’m sure they find out. “

Doncic has seen three straight Lakers victories from their bench since arriving in Los Angeles a week ago. Reaves scored a career high 45 points To lead Lakers past Indiana 124-117 Saturday without Doncic or James, who sat out to rest his sore ankle.

Doncic began Monday with The fierce fires The broken parts of southern California last month – including Pacific Palisades, Where Redick’s home was lost.

“It’s been so sad to see and learn more about the damage from the fire when I landed in LA,” Doncic wrote at his Luka Doncic Foundation’s social media channels. “I can’t believe it, and I feel for all the children who lost their homes, schools and the places where they used to play with their friends. Today, my foundation donates $ 500,000 to immediate recovery efforts. I am also required to help rebuild courts, playgrounds and fields that were destroyed because each child needs a safe place to play.

“To everyone affected by these fires: We are here to help, now and for a long time.”

Doncic signed his note: “Your new neighbor.”

Doncic’s original donation is made to the Community Foundation Wildfire Recovery Fund. He also plans to donate “significant further financing over the next two years” focusing on the reconstruction of children’s playgrounds, according to a spokesman.

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