Luka Doncic makes Lakers debut after blockbuster trade

The anticipation for Los Angeles Lakers fans ended connected Monday nighttime arsenic Luka Doncic made his debut successful purple and golden astatine the Crypto.com Arena against the Utah Jazz.

Doncic played 24 minutes arsenic each but 1 Lakers prima played nether 30 (Austin Reaves). He made the astir of it, scoring 14 points, grabbing 5 rebounds and dishing retired 4 assists. He was plus-15 portion connected the level and 5-of-14 from the field.

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Los Angeles Lakers defender Luka Doncic gestures arsenic helium comes backmost successful during the archetypal fractional of an NBA hoops crippled against the Utah Jazz connected Monday, Feb. 10, 2025 successful Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

He had not played since Christmas owed to an wounded and past was the main portion of a blockbuster commercialized from the Dallas Mavericks to the Lakers. As fans received Doncic T-shirts, and helium stepped onto the level with LeBron James, Doncic admitted helium was a "little nervous."

"I (don’t remember) the past clip I was tense earlier the game. But erstwhile I stepped connected the tribunal again, it was fun. Just being retired there, it felt amazing," helium said aft the game.

The Lakers won the crippled 132-113.

MAVERICKS' ANTHONY DAVIS SUFFERS INJURY IN DEBUT FOLLOWING BLOCKBUSTER TRADE

Los Angeles Lakers defender Luka Doncic arrives earlier an NBA hoops crippled against the Utah Jazz, Monday connected Feb. 10, 2025 successful Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

"Just the magnitude of cheering determination was successful the arena was perfectly unbelievable," Doncic said. "That was my favourite portion — and to play again."

As the play wears on, Doncic’s chemistry with James is going to beryllium a cardinal factor. The Lakers moved to 32-19 connected the twelvemonth with the triumph and are presently successful 4th spot successful the Western Conference. Being retired of the play-in tourney volition beryllium a cardinal for the team.

"Knowing Luka, whether helium volition admit this oregon not, determination was astir apt a small spot of nerves playing for the Lakers for the archetypal time, and the anticipation that this gathering had," Lakers caput manager J.J. Redick said. "I thought helium handled it truly well, and helium played truly good tonight. ... He didn’t marque it astir Luka. He made it astir playing bully hoops and playing Laker basketball."

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T-shirts with Los Angeles Lakers defender Luka Doncic's fig are seen played retired connected instrumentality seats anterior to an NBA hoops crippled betwixt the Lakers and the Utah Jazz connected Monday, Feb. 10, 2025 successful Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles volition caput to Utah to play the Jazz again earlier the All-Star interruption begins.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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