Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Luka Doncic Makes a Winning Impression in Lakers Debut
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 1 month ago on
February 11, 2025

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots as Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) and guard Johnny Juzang defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP/Mark J. Terrill)

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

LOS ANGELES — Luka Doncic had 14 points, five rebounds and four assists in his Lakers debut as Los Angeles beat the Utah Jazz 132-113 on Monday night.

LeBron James finished with 24 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, Austin Reaves scored 22 and the Lakers got their sixth straight win.

Doncic, acquired in a shocking trade from the Dallas Mavericks on Feb. 2, played for the first time since sustaining a calf strain on Christmas. He was limited to just under 24 minutes as a precaution and was able to sit out the fourth quarter with his new team in complete control, but still had several standout moments to help the surging Lakers get their 12th victory in 14 games.

Buoyed by its new superstar, Los Angeles had seven players reach double figures, shot a blistering 54.3% from the floor and led by as many as 34.

Even a young superstar could feel the magnificence of the moment.

“I was a little nervous before,” Doncic said. “I (don’t remember) the last time I was nervous before the game. But once I stepped on the court again, it was fun. Just being out there, it felt amazing.”

Lauri Markkanen and John Collins each scored 17 points for the Jazz, who have dropped nine in a row on the road.

Takeaways

Jazz: Head coach Will Hardy said before the game that he hoped his young team would embrace the unusual circumstances, but Utah struggled in the spotlight.

Lakers: Doncic’s debut was a star-studded affair, even by Los Angeles standards. Adele, Will Ferrell, Flea and Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Mavericks great Dirk Nowitzki were among those in attendance.

Key Moment

Doncic made a series of impressive passes in his first game wearing the purple and gold, including setting up Jaxson Hayes for an alley-oop dunk 50 seconds into the game and finding a streaking James with a three-quarter court heave for a layup in the final minute of the opening half.

Key Stat

Doncic looked heavy-legged after the long layoff, shooting 5 of 14 from the field and making only one of his seven attempts from 3-point range (14.3%).

Up Next

The Jazz host the Lakers on Wednesday.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

Fresno Man Sentenced to 200 Years to Life for Double Homicide

DON'T MISS

River Park Farmers Market Nears Milestone: 7 Million Customers

DON'T MISS

Senate Passes Six-Month Funding Bill Hours Before Shutdown Deadline

DON'T MISS

Fresno County’s First Fentanyl Murder Trial Begins as Defense Challenges Overdose Evidence

DON'T MISS

Trump Pledges to ‘Expel Rogue Actors’ in Political Speech at Justice Department

DON'T MISS

Meet Tulare County’s New Health Officer: Dr. Asma Tariq

DON'T MISS

CA Regulator Mulls State Farm’s Request for 22% Home Insurance Hike

DON'T MISS

Fresno Council President Says It’s Not Worth Investigating ‘Rumors’ of Chavez Wrongdoing

DON'T MISS

Don’t Listen to Critics. SJ River Conservancy Is Doing Its Job

DON'T MISS

CA Borrows $3.4B to Cover Medi-Cal Budget Gap. Is Immigrant Coverage at Risk?

UP NEXT

River Park Farmers Market Nears Milestone: 7 Million Customers

UP NEXT

Senate Passes Six-Month Funding Bill Hours Before Shutdown Deadline

UP NEXT

Fresno County’s First Fentanyl Murder Trial Begins as Defense Challenges Overdose Evidence

UP NEXT

Trump Pledges to ‘Expel Rogue Actors’ in Political Speech at Justice Department

UP NEXT

Meet Tulare County’s New Health Officer: Dr. Asma Tariq

UP NEXT

CA Regulator Mulls State Farm’s Request for 22% Home Insurance Hike

UP NEXT

Fresno Council President Says It’s Not Worth Investigating ‘Rumors’ of Chavez Wrongdoing

UP NEXT

Don’t Listen to Critics. SJ River Conservancy Is Doing Its Job

UP NEXT

CA Borrows $3.4B to Cover Medi-Cal Budget Gap. Is Immigrant Coverage at Risk?

UP NEXT

Trump Administration’s Attacks on Higher Education Threaten US Global Dominance in Science

Fresno County’s First Fentanyl Murder Trial Begins as Defense Challenges Overdose Evidence

9 hours ago

Trump Pledges to ‘Expel Rogue Actors’ in Political Speech at Justice Department

9 hours ago

Meet Tulare County’s New Health Officer: Dr. Asma Tariq

10 hours ago

CA Regulator Mulls State Farm’s Request for 22% Home Insurance Hike

10 hours ago

Fresno Council President Says It’s Not Worth Investigating ‘Rumors’ of Chavez Wrongdoing

11 hours ago

Don’t Listen to Critics. SJ River Conservancy Is Doing Its Job

13 hours ago

CA Borrows $3.4B to Cover Medi-Cal Budget Gap. Is Immigrant Coverage at Risk?

13 hours ago

Trump Administration’s Attacks on Higher Education Threaten US Global Dominance in Science

14 hours ago

Tulare Police Arrest Eight in Gang Suppression Operation

14 hours ago

Feds Drop Gun Charge Against Capitol Rioter Benjamin Martin

15 hours ago

Fresno Man Sentenced to 200 Years to Life for Double Homicide

A 28-year-old Fresno man was sentenced Friday to 200 years to life in state prison for a 2021 double murder, the Fresno County District Atto...

8 hours ago

8 hours ago

Fresno Man Sentenced to 200 Years to Life for Double Homicide

The River Park Farmers Market in Fresno is set to welcome its seven-millionth customer while expanding its community impact through food assistance programs, small business support, and a new educational cooking series. (River Park Farmers Market)
8 hours ago

River Park Farmers Market Nears Milestone: 7 Million Customers

8 hours ago

Senate Passes Six-Month Funding Bill Hours Before Shutdown Deadline

Cassidy Gonzalez (pictured), 24, faces Fresno County’s first fentanyl-related homicide trial, with prosecutors linking her to Jade Dreith’s, 41, fatal overdose and the defense questioning the evidence. (Fresno County Sheriff's Office)
9 hours ago

Fresno County’s First Fentanyl Murder Trial Begins as Defense Challenges Overdose Evidence

9 hours ago

Trump Pledges to ‘Expel Rogue Actors’ in Political Speech at Justice Department

10 hours ago

Meet Tulare County’s New Health Officer: Dr. Asma Tariq

10 hours ago

CA Regulator Mulls State Farm’s Request for 22% Home Insurance Hike

11 hours ago

Fresno Council President Says It’s Not Worth Investigating ‘Rumors’ of Chavez Wrongdoing

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend