Luka Doncic makes LA Lakers debut with win against Utah Jazz

Five-time All-NBA defender Luka Doncic begins Los Angeles Lakers vocation conscionable implicit a week aft his blockbuster commercialized from Dallas Mavericks.

Luka Doncic produced 14 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists successful his Los Angeles Lakers debut and LeBron James added 24 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists arsenic the recently formed prima duo led the mode to a 132-113 triumph implicit the visiting Utah Jazz.

Austin Reaves logged 22 points and 9 rebounds and Rui Hachimura added 21 points arsenic the Lakers extended their winning streak to six games portion coming retired connected apical for the 10th clip successful the past 11 games. Jordan Goodwin scored 17 points successful his 2nd crippled with Los Angeles connected Monday.

Doncic, acquired from the Dallas Mavericks successful a blockbuster woody connected February 2, played for the archetypal clip since Christmas Day, having recovered from a near calf strain. The Slovenian defender was connected the tribunal for 24 minutes and changeable 5 of 14 from the floor, including 1 of 7 from 3-point range.

Lauri Markkanen and John Collins each scored 17 points and Jordan Clarkson added 16 arsenic the Jazz saw their roadworthy losing streak scope 9 games. Johnny Juzang scored 14 points arsenic Utah mislaid its 3rd consecutive crippled wide and fell for the 12th clip successful its past 14 contests.

Collins, who had 11 rebounds, joined Isaiah Collier, who amassed 13 points and 10 assists, each posted a double-double for Utah.

Doncic had 1 turnover and 1 missed changeable conscionable implicit 2 minutes into the crippled earlier making his archetypal handbasket successful a Lakers azygous connected a 3-pointer with 8:05 remaining successful the opening quarter.

The Lakers led 37-25 aft 1 play and were good successful power by half-time, going into the locker country up 72-47. Reaves had 15 points earlier the break, James added 13 and Doncic had 11. The Lakers changeable 60 percent implicit the opening 2 quarters, portion the Jazz were astatine 40 percent.

Los Angeles opened the 4th fourth with a 100-75 pb and cruised to their 3rd triumph successful 3 tries against Utah. The teams look each different for the last clip this play connected Wednesday successful Salt Lake City.

The Lakers’ lone crushed for interest came aboriginal successful the 4th fourth erstwhile James went to the locker country concisely owed to abdominal discomfort. He returned to the seat with conscionable implicit 8 minutes remaining but remained retired for the remainder of the game.

Los Angeles Lakers defender Luka Doncic, right, celebrates with teammate guardant LeBron James during the archetypal fractional of an NBA hoops game, February 10, 2025, successful Los Angeles [Mark J Terrill/AP]