The commercial shock has not yet worn for many NBA fans. Only nine days ago, he broke. Some woke up at the news, others were amazed in real time in the early morning of February 2.
Luka Doncic was a laker. The trade was examined and criticized while the director general of Dallas Mavericks, Nico Harrison, hired additional security because of the backlash for his choice to move the best assets of his team to Los Angeles.
And until Monday evening, everything still seemed unreal. Then the 25 -year -old Slovenian took the ground with the Laker Gold for the first time. He was there. Luka the Laker.
Doncic has tried to take the opportunity, but there is clearly rust since it has not played for more than a month. He finished with 14 points, five rebounds and four assists in 23 minutes, when he had a form of impact with his new team in a demolition of 132-113 of Utah jazz in difficulty.
Lebron and Luka’s tandem was seen for the first time and worked as a charm. James ended the evening with 24 points, seven rebounds and eight assists to lead Los Angeles to victory.
“Special moment,” said so on the field after the match. “There was a lot of noise when I was presented and it really means a lot.”
The NBA Luka Donnic journey made its debut as a Lakers player on Monday evening
Doncic is undergoing an injury he suffered with the Dallas Mavericks in December
The NBA was entitled to the beginnings of the LeBron-Luka tandem as they combined for 38 points
But all eyes were on Doncic, making his debut for his new team since he was transferred from Dallas to Los Angeles for Anthony Davis among other pieces.
Davis is already injured. The great man left his debut in Mavericks due to pain in his abdominal muscles. He should miss an extended period.
Donic, on the other hand, has just made a calf injury. He had not played since December – but rehabilitated and recovered to make his debut on Monday.
Crypto.com fans have applauded while the name of the Slovenian goalkeeper was announced in the starting alignments. The view of a purple n ° 77 on this bright yellow jersey will always take time for some to get used to it.
Mark it – The first time that Donci appears in a game game in its important beginnings of Lakers came with 10:34 to play in the first quarter: “Luka Doncic Bad Pass (John Collins Steals)”.
So not the exact first impression you may have wanted. Maybe the next appearance in the match sheet will be better?
“9:46 – Luka Doncic lacks 27 feet back jumps at 3 points. Too bad.
Fortunately, the third time was charm. ‘8:05 – Luka Doncic takes a step back from 26 feet 3 points Utah 10, Lal 14.’ It’s more like that. Welcome to La, Luka.
As it is typical in Los Angeles, the stars went out at night to watch the new lavish son of the Lakers. Adele, Will Ferrell and Floyd Mayweather were all seen before at the Jekers Games.
Dononic means the American national anthem for the first time as a Lakers player
The legend of Dallas Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki, looks at Luka Doncic made his debut at his Lakers
Dononic sank this shot at 3 points – his first basket made as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers
But there is a particularly interesting inclusion among fans: the legend of the hall-of-Famer and the Mavericks Dirk Nowitzki.
At halftime, the Lakers had accumulated such a substantial lead that coach JJ Redick was able to rest some of his best players.
After having run for about 23 minutes and a half of the match time, he replaced Doncic with 3:07 to play in the third quarter.
The guard put a long -sleeved shirt, seated on the bench and looked at the rest of the night – unable to improve his shooting line 5 out of 14 or his shot at 3 points.
You could expect the rust to be expected and forgiven. After all, he did not touch the court in a match since the end of December, he just had to uproot his whole life because his former managing director has made a business that has a fundamental meaning and has to reinclimate with an entirely new city .
So give a little time. Tonight was a fairy tale? No, but that didn’t need to be. A base was built and there is room for improvement.
But it is not the NBA final, it is a match against one of the worst League teams.
Donteic will have a lot of time for Showtime. It is intended for this.
