LOS ANGELES – Luka Donsic scored 14 points in limited playtime during her debut with the Lakers on Monday night, joining the starting lineup alongside LeBron James, 132-113 Utah Jazz in Los Angeles It was flown quickly during the victory.
Donsic got multiple standing ovations wearing thousands of gold T-shirts from the Los Angeles crowds, wearing his name and number 77.
He scored 11 points and the Lakers lost a 25-point halftime lead, with 3:07 left in the third quarter, with the Lakers winning sixth straight.
The first bucket of the Slovenian superstar was three pointers, the opening few minutes into the Lakers' second shot. Donsic finished with five rebounds and four assists. Nothing was more clean than a three-quarter court strike to James for a layup in the second half.
The game was the first of Donsic in nearly seven weeks after the Mavericks, who shocked the world of sports by trading the 25-year-old centerpiece and the NBA scoring champions, strained the left calves at Christmas. It was something. The Lakers gave up Anthony Davis and Max Christie.
After settling down and returning to full strength a week later, Donsic joined James, Austin Reeves, Louis Hachimura and Jackson Hayes. into their lineup.
Donsic only played 23 minutes as the Lakers intentionally brought him back from his injuries.
His feet aren't there yet – he went 7-1 on a 3-point attempt in his debut – but his playmaking soon joined his new teammate.
Coach JJ Reddick, who played 13 games with the Dallas Mavericks and Don Sic in 2021, wanted to see what Don Sic would do in his highly historic debut with his new team.
“The excitement level is high,” Reddick said. “Nothing will change to our approach or Utah's game plan. Integrating is always an in-season challenge and we must be able to give each other patience.”
Donsic was not disappointed. His first touch was an assist in Hayes' alleyways, and he hit a three-pointer in the instant. He sang “Luka! Luka!” the first deadball hymn, and several times after that.
The crowd included Dirk Nowicki, who overlapped with Donsic in Dallas and served as his mentor.
Donsic appeared to be the natural heir to the incredible running of the German Hall of Fame until Nico Harrison, the current Mavericks general manager, decided otherwise.
Donsic played the first 6:56 before checking out with James. It's probably a coincidence, perhaps, while Donsic returns to full power.
The Lakers are expected to have one of their superstars on the floor almost always when Donsic is speeding up.
“I feel like it's the best for now that Luka is back to playing NBA action,” Reddick said. “If that were to be left to Luka, I think he'll probably play 48 minutes, but we're thinking about it for the long term and wanting to be safe.”
Donsic returned in the first half with about eight minutes left. He helped the Lakers on their way to a big lead with some key plays.
Everyone received Don Chic T-shirts to mark the opportunity at the Lakers Downtown Arena.
Donsic warmed up for about 10 minutes before the game, so dozens of cameras followed, while Lakers Arena played Serbian music that preferred pre-match training.
The Lakers introduced him last before the game, giving him a place normally reserved for James, which led to another standing ovation.
James returned from a one-game injury absence on Monday when the Lakers began a home and home set with the Jazz heading for an All-Star break.
“I don't think any of us know exactly what it looks like,” Utah coach Will Hardy said. “I think it looks good. (Doncic and James) are two of the problem solvers we've seen before. Yeah, I think it's a bit strange to prepare it. …But I have not seen a world where it's not a good thing for these two to play together. As I said, their processing speed is mentally unbelievable, so they understand that I'm sure I'll do that.”
Donsic has seen the Straight Lakers wins three times from the bench since arriving in Los Angeles a week ago.
The Reaves scored a career-high 45 points, leading the Lakers past Indiana 124-117 on Saturday, with Don Sic and James resting their ankles.
Donsic on Monday donated $500,000 to announce recovery efforts in the new community, promptly impressed his pledge to support the damage caused by the ramp-prolonged wildfire that destroyed parts of Southern California last month. did. .
“When I landed in LA, it was very sad to see and learn more about the damages from the wildfire,” Donsic wrote on his Luka Donsic Foundation's social media channel. “I can't believe it. I feel to all the kids who lost their home, school and places they had been playing with friends. Today, my foundation has donated $500,000 to an immediate recovery effort. I am also committed to helping to rebuild the destroyed courts, playgrounds and fields, as all children need a safe place.
“To all those affected by these fires: we are here to help now, now and for the long term.”
Donsic signed his note: “Your new neighbor.”
Doncic's initial donation is to the Community Foundation Wildfire Recovery Fund. He also plans to donate “large additional funds over the next two years” with a focus on restructuring the children's play space, according to a spokesman.
