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Luka Dončić made waves in his first game for the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night, scoring 14 points to help the team secure a dominant 132-113 victory over the Utah Jazz. The Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles was buzzing with excitement as Dončić returned to the court after weeks of recovery from a left calf strain.
The Slovenian superstar, who was recently traded to the Lakers from the Dallas Mavericks, looked comfortable despite only playing 24 minutes. Dončić shot 5 of 14 from the field, including 1 of 7 from beyond the arc, while contributing five rebounds and four assists.
“I was just happy to be on the court again,” Dončić said in a post-game interview with ESPN.
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Adding to the moment, NBA legend Dirk Nowitzki was present to cheer on Dončić. Known for their close friendship and mentor-mentee relationship, Nowitzki’s presence made the night even more special.
“Great friend, great mentor,” Dončić said. “It really means a lot that he was able to show up here.”
The Lakers gave fans a warm welcome by handing out custom Dončić Lakers shirts. The arena erupted when Dončić was introduced in the starting lineup alongside LeBron James. He wasted no time, scoring his first points for the Lakers with a three-pointer early in the game.
The trade that brought Dončić to Los Angeles in exchange for Anthony Davis on February 1 remains the talk of the NBA. While Mavericks fans are still processing the move, Dončić’s arrival has sparked new hopes for the Lakers.
Anthony Davis, now with the Mavericks, suffered an adductor strain in his debut game, sidelining him for several weeks. Meanwhile, LeBron James returned from an ankle injury to join Dončić in what was one of the most highly anticipated debuts in recent NBA history. James contributed 24 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds.
Austin Reaves added 22 points and nine rebounds, while Rui Hachimura scored 21 points for the Lakers. On the Jazz side, Lauri Markkanen led with 17 points, while John Collins recorded a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
Although it’s still early in Dončić’s time with the Lakers, his debut was a promising start to what fans hope will be a successful chapter in Southern California.