Luka Doncic's Words After His Debut with the Los Angeles Lakers
A Special Debut in Los Angeles
Luka Doncic made his debut on Monday as a new player for the Los Angeles Lakers and expressed his gratitude for the "special" welcome he received from the franchise.
"It was special. The way everyone welcomed me—the teammates, the front office, everyone here. I heard a lot of noise when they introduced me... So I really appreciate it, it was a special moment," he told ESPN after the game. The Slovenian shared that the message from his coach, JJ Redick, and LeBron James was simple: "Be yourself." He also thanked Dirk Nowitzki for traveling to Los Angeles to support him in his debut, calling him "a great friend" and "a great mentor."
LeBron James' Gesture
In the post-game press conference, Doncic revealed how the Lakers' starting lineup presentation was arranged, with him taking the last spot—a position usually reserved for LeBron James. It was King James himself who came up with the idea to let him have that moment and feel the love from his new fans.
"He texted me this morning and said, 'Whatever you want.' For me, just getting that message from him is incredible. It shows what kind of person he is. He let me have my moment, and I really appreciate it," Doncic said.
The Slovenian admitted he was "a little nervous" before his debut but said that once he was on the court, he enjoyed the moment. "Playing again felt amazing (...). I hadn’t played in a long time. And it’s a new team, a new ‘everything,’" he said, highlighting the support he received from the franchise.
After his blockbuster trade from the Dallas Mavericks, which shook up the NBA, Doncic made his Lakers debut in a 132-113 win over the Utah Jazz. In 23 minutes and 33 seconds, he posted 14 points (5 of 14 from the field, including 1 of 7 from three), 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. It was his first game since suffering a calf injury on Christmas Day.
The Lakers (32-19) are on a roll, having added a generational talent like Doncic and boasting an impressive 12-2 record in their last 14 games, with six straight wins. LeBron James, meanwhile, contributed 24 points (10 of 17 from the field), 7 rebounds, and 8 assists in 29 minutes.
