A bit over every week later The job that shocked the world of sportLuka Dončić made her debut in Los Angeles Lakers within the match on Monday night in opposition to Utah Jazz.
This sport went with none issues. Dončić dropped 14 whereas serving to the Lakers to a dominant victory of 132-113 in opposition to jazz in downtown Los Angeles. He pulled 5 out of 14 on the sphere and 1 out of the arc with 5 rebounds and 4 assists in what was his first match in a couple of weeks after a calf harm. Though he solely performed 24 minutes, Dončić checked out his previous self.
“I used to be simply pleased to be on the sphere once more,” mentioned Dončić on ESPN after the match.
The legend of Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki, additionally got here to Los Angeles to look at the beginnings of Dončić.
I’ll at all times be a MAV for all times, however I needed to come and assist my man 77 @ luka7doncic Within the first sport of his new chapter!
– Dirk Nowitzki (@ swish41) February 11, 2025
“Nice buddy, nice mentor,” mentioned Dončić about Nowitzki. “It actually means so much that he might seem right here.”
Dončić entered the Lakers’ departure coaching alongside LeBron James, and he was introduced final to a loud roar of the Crypto.com followers. Followers additionally acquired a Dončić Lakers personalised shirt on arrival.
Dončić didn’t waste plenty of time both. He drained his first factors with the Lakers on a 3 factors from the highest of the important thing a couple of minutes from the competitors.
Dončić was exchanged within the Lakers on February 1 for Anthony Davis, a call that’s nonetheless the NBA speech due to The collective anger of Dallas Mavericks followers And the little favorable begin of Davis with the workforce.
The Mavericks have would have strengthened safety After the dying threats in opposition to the director normal Nico Harrison – and it was earlier than the information on Sunday that Davis would have been absent for a number of weeks With adductive stress, he suffered throughout his beginnings on Saturday. Davis suffered the contactless harm within the third quarter of the Mavericks match in opposition to Houston’s Rockets. The sport was his first since He suffered stomach stress January 29 whereas taking part in for Lakers.
Dončić had not performed since Christmas, sidelined with a left veal pressure. In 22 video games this season, he has a mean of 28.1 factors 8.3 rebounds and seven.8 assists, and joins a workforce of Lakers which is now 32-19, sitting fifth from the West Convention.
The recruit of the Lakers Dalton Knecht was additionally made out there for the match on Monday, though coach JJ Redick mentioned that he didn’t plan to play it. Knecht was exchanged to Charlotte’s Hornets earlier than the deadline, however that Commerce was canceled after Mark Williams failed a physique. Knecht ought to play once more on Wednesday night.
James missed the match on Saturday with ankle ache. He got here again from an absence of a match to affix Dončić in one of the crucial anticipated beginnings of the NBA gamers in current reminiscence. James completed with 24 factors, eight assists and 7 rebounds in victory.
Austin Reaves misplaced 22 factors and 9 rebounds, and Rui Hachimura added 21 factors and 6 rebounds for Lakers. Lauri Markkanen led Utah with 17 factors in defeat after he went 1 out of 8 behind the arc. John Collins completed with 17 factors and 11 rebounds, and Jordan Clarkson completed with 16 factors. Jazz is sitting at 12-40 this season.
Though it’s an eruption victory and the 2 stars are nonetheless working to grasp how they meet on the bottom, the Dončić period is formally underway in southern California.
