Starting alongside his new backcourt partner Austin Reaves, Luka Doncic faced a challenging shooting night in his Lakers debut. He managed just 5-of-14 from the field and 1-of-7 from beyond the arc. However, he still found ways to contribute, finishing with 14 points, five rebounds, and four assists in the Lakers’ dominant 132-113 win.
A Warm Welcome from the Lakers Faithful
Despite his shooting struggles, the night belonged to Doncic’s presence on the court. The home crowd welcomed him with a thunderous ovation, and after the game, he reflected on the moment:
“Special, man. The way they received me, everybody—teammates, front office, everybody here. I heard a lot of noise when I was introduced, so I really appreciate it. It was a special moment,” he told ESPN.
Encouragement from LeBron and Redick
Before tipoff, head coach JJ Redick, LeBron James, and the rest of the team had a simple yet impactful message for Doncic:
“Be you. Simple. Be you.”
Lakers Surge to Fourth Place in the West
With this win, the Lakers extended their winning streak to six games and improved to 9-1 in their last 10 contests. The team’s recent success has propelled them to fourth place in the Western Conference standings. Doncic believes this squad has the potential to make a deep run in the postseason.
“Very dangerous,” he said, hinting that the Lakers could be a serious championship contender—both this season and in the years to come, as LeBron James nears the twilight of his career.
A Special Night with Dirk Nowitzki in Attendance
Adding to the significance of the occasion was the presence of Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki, who watched from the stands as Doncic showcased the signature one-legged fadeaway that Nowitzki made famous. The two share a close bond from their time together in Dallas, with Nowitzki passing the franchise torch to Doncic as his own career came to a close.
A New Chapter in Los Angeles
Now, in the purple and gold, Luka Doncic is writing a new chapter—one that he and the Lakers hope will lead to another championship banner hanging from the rafters of Crypto.com Arena.