Luka Doncic scores 14 in debut game with L.A. Lakers
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 10: Luka Doncic #77 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during the second quarter of a game against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena on February 10, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ron
LOS ANGELES - It was a surreal night not just for Dallas Mavericks fans but for the whole basketball world to see Luka Doncic teamed up with Lebron James.
Doncic played his first game on Monday night as a Los Angeles Laker.
Luka Doncic traded
The backstory:
Doncic played 422 regular season NBA games all in a Dallas jersey.
But that streak ended on Monday night, nine days after the Mavs shockingly traded away their 25-year-old face of the franchise.
Lakes welcome Luka Doncic
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 10: Shirts celebrating Luka Doncic's debut with the Los Angeles Lakers are seen on seats for fans before a game against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena on February 10, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ro
What's new:
Los Angeles pulled out all the stops to welcome Doncic, even putting t-shirts with his signature No. 77 on every seat.
During the lineup announcements, he was given the respect of being the final Lakers starter announced.
Mavs legend Dirk Nowitzki was also at the game to support him.
Lakers defeat Jazz 132-113
What we know:
As for the action, Doncic didn’t have his most prolific game statistically.
He scored just 14 points in 24 minutes and went 1 for 7 from the three-point line.
But this was his first game since suffering a left calf sprain on Christmas Day, what ultimately was his last game as a Maverick.
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 10, 2025: Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) scores on an easy layup in front of Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) in the first half at Crypto.com Arena on February 10, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Gina Ferazzi
In the end, Luka’s Lakers blew out the Utah Jazz 132-113, capping a special night for the ex-Mavericks superstar.
"Special, man, the way they received me. Everybody, teammates, front office, everybody here, I heard a lot of noise when I was introduced. So really appreciate it. It was a special moment," he said.
Doncic said having Nowitzki in the crowd to support him also meant a lot. He called Nowitzki a great friend and mentor.
Local perspective:
Meanwhile, back in Dallas, the Mavericks lost to Sacramento in overtime 129 to 128 on Monday night.
The Mavs and the Lakers are scheduled to meet for the first time since the trade on Feb. 25.
Anthony Davis on Dallas Mavericks fans: 'I want to give them life back'
Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison, who has received harsh criticism in the wake of the Luka Doncic trade, did not attend the news conference.
Anthony Davis, the superstar Los Angeles traded for Doncic, will not be healthy for that matchup.
But the Mavs hope Davis will be on the court again by April 9, when Doncic leads the Lakers in Dallas.
The Source: FOX 4 Sports reporter Jeff Kolb gathered the information for this story from Monday night's basketball game, news conferences and past news coverage.