2 weeks Ago By Aikansh Chaudhary, NBA Analysis Network
Luka Doncic became the latest NBA great to play his first game in the iconic Los Angeles Lakers jersey. The wait is finally over for Luka Doncic’s much-anticipated LA Lakers debut as the 25-year-old superstar played his first game with his new franchise vs. the Utah Jazz .
Despite Doncic playing for the first time since NBA Christmas Day, fans had high expectations from the ex-Dallas Mavericks superstar . The 5x NBA All-Star finished the night with 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists in just 24 minutes of playing time. While Doncic was a bit rusty , the Laker Nation didn’t complain much about their newest star’s performance.
Luka Doncic’s debut compared to all-time LA Lakers greats The Purple and Gold are one of the winningest franchises in NBA history and a key reason behind their success is the presence of superstars on their roster year after year. Doncic became the latest addition to wear the iconic Lakers jersey, which has previously been worn by the likes of Kobe Bryant , Magic Johnson , Kareem Abdul-Jabbar , and more. Speaking of which, how did Doncic’s debut fare against some other all-time Lakers greats? Let’s take a look at it.
Sure, Doncic didn’t put up astonishing numbers in his debut, but he is likely still recovering from getting traded in the middle of his prime . Moreover, he is still getting used to playing under the bright lights of LA. A realistic expectation for “Luka Magic” to get back in form should be post the 2025 NBA All-Star game.
Doncic on making his Lakers debut Playing for the LA Lakers is seemingly an unforgettable experience for the league’s biggest stars, but not every player gets that opportunity. Regardless of how Doncic arrived in LA, he is loving every moment of the incredible treatment from the fanbase. “Special.
The way they received me, everybody, it was amazing to see. I was a little nervous before. I mean, I don’t know the last time I was nervous before a game,” Doncic said of his Lakers debut .
He added: “But once I stepped on the court, it was fun. Just being out there again felt amazing.” The Lakers capped off an amazing night with their sixth straight win of the season as they have now improved to a 32-19 record and firmly hold the fourth seed in the Western Conference.
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