Trade shock has not yet disappeared for many NBA fans. Only nine days ago he broke. Some woke up with the news, others were surprised in real time in the early hours of February 2.
Luka Donc was Laker. The exchange has been analyzed and criticized, while the general manager of Dallas Mavericks, Nico Harrison, has hired additional security due to the reaction for his choice to transfer the best asset of his team to Los Angeles.
And until Monday night, everything still seemed unreal. Then, the 25 -year -old Slovenian took the floor with Gold Laker for the first time. Here it was. Luka el Laker.
Doncic tried to make the most of the occasion, but there is clear oxide considering that he has not played in more than a month. He finished with 14 points, five rebounds and four assists in 23 minutes, since he had some kind of impact with his new team in a demolition of 132-113 of the Utah jazz.
LeBron and Luka's tandem was first seen and worked as a charm. James ended the night with 24 points, seven rebounds and eight assists to take Los Angeles to victory.
“Special moment,” Doncic said on the court after the game. “There was a lot of noise when they introduced me and really means a lot.”
The base of the NBA, Luka Doncic, made its debut as a Lakers player on Monday night
DANCIC leaves an injury he suffered with the Dallas Mavericks in December
The NBA was treated to LeBron-Luka's tandem debut while combining 38 points
But all eyes were in Doncic, making their debut for his new team since he moved Dallas to Los Angeles by Anthony Davis, among other pieces.
Davis is already injured. The big man left his mavericks debut injury due to pain in the abdominal muscles. A prolonged period of time is expected to be lost.
Doncic, on the other hand, leaves a calf injury. He had not played since December, but rehabilitated and recovered to debut on Monday.
Crypto.com Arena fans applauded when the name of the Slovenian guard was announced in the initial alignments. The view of a Purple No. 77 in that bright yellow shirt will still take time for some to get used to it.
Mark It Down: The first time Doncic appears in a play per game in his transcendental debut of the Lakers arrived with remaining 10:34 in the first quarter: 'Luka Doncic Bad Pass (John Collins steals)'.
So, it is not the first exact impression that you may have wanted. Maybe the next appearance on the score sheet will be better?
'9: 46-Luka Doncic The Jumphot Jumphot of 3 points of 27 feet' is lost. Oh good.
Fortunately, the third time was the charm. '8: 05-Luka Doncic makes Jumphot 3 points from 26 feet back Utah 10, Lal 14.' That is more similar. Welcome to Los Angeles, Luka.
As is typical in Los Angeles, the stars came out at night to see the new prodigal son of the Lakers. Adele, Will Ferrell and Floyd Mayweather have been seen on the court in the Lakers games before.
Doncic represents the American national anthem for the first time as a Lakers player
The legend of the Dallas Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki, observes while Luka Doncic debuts their Lakers
Doncic sank this 3 -point shot: his first basket was a member of Los Angeles Lakers
But there is a particularly interesting inclusion among fans: the legend of the Hall of Fame and the Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki.
For part time, the Lakers had accumulated such a substantial advantage that coach JJ Redick was able to rest some of his best players.
After running for about 23 and a half minutes of play time, he went up to Doncic with 3:07 remaining in the third quarter.
The guard put on a long -sleeved shirt, sat on the bank and watched the rest of the night, unable to improve its 5 of 14 shooting line or its 1 of 7 points.
You could expect and forgive oxide. After all, he has not touched the court in a game since the end of December, he only had to uproot his life because his former GM made an exchange that lacks basic sense, and has to acclimize himself with a city with a city completely new.
So give Donc some time. Was a fairy tale tonight? No, but it wasn't necessary. A base was built and there is room to improve.
But this is not the NBA finals, it is a game against one of the worst teams in the League.
Doncic will have a lot of time for Showtime. It is intended for that.