Los Angeles Lakers fans had plenty to cheer about as Luka Doncic made his highly anticipated debut.
The contrast in emotions between Lakers and Dallas Mavericks fans was palpable, with the sold-out Los Angeles crowd buzzing with excitement to welcome its newest star, acquired in a blockbuster trade for Anthony Davis.
After sitting out with a calf strain, Doncic took the court in Lakers colors, playing 24 minutes in his first appearance.
ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst praised the Lakers’ calculated approach to Doncic’s debut.
The team strategically chose a matchup against the Utah Jazz, whose roster struggles to match the Lakers’ talent level, allowing for a comfortable transition.
“First off, not playing in six weeks, you’re going to feel a little weird going out there. But playing in that purple and gold for the first time, I noticed he had to go over to the bench and ask for a bottle of water before the first time out. I think that mouth was a little dry, for various reasons. But, you know, he didn’t need to play great in this game. … This is a perfect onboarding for Luka Doncic,” Windhorst said, via NBA on ESPN.
“The only way you get in basketball shape is to play basketball.” 😅 @WindhorstESPN and @ThisIsUD on their takeaways from Luka Doncic’s debut with the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/FuQsE1FV2c
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 11, 2025
In his debut, Doncic posted a modest but effective stat line: 14 points on 5-of-14 shooting, five rebounds and four assists, contributing to a commanding 132-113 victory.
Despite still finding his rhythm, he delivered a highlight-reel moment just before halftime, threading a perfect full-court pass to LeBron James for an easy layup that sent the crowd into a frenzy.
The night wasn’t about statistical dominance but rather about Doncic settling into his new role with one of the NBA’s storied franchises.
With the pressure-free environment carefully crafted by the Lakers’ organization, Doncic’s integration into the team appears to be off to a promising start.
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