Luka Doncic scores 14 in 24 minutes in debut win with Lakers

After the shock trade, Luka Doncic finally made his debut for the Los Angeles Lakers. The Slovenian was playing for the first time since Christmas Day and he was able to hit the ground running for his new team. 

Doncic scored 14 points in 24 minutes as the Lakers secured a 132-113 win over the Utah Jazz at home on Monday night. Before Doncic took the court in Lakers’ 77 number jersey, veteran LeBron James motivated him in the huddle, asking him to be himself.

“Luka, be your f—ing self,” James said during the pregame huddle, picked up by the ESPN telecast. “Don’t fit in, fit the f— out. Be yourself.”

Doncic said it was amazing to receive such a message from James and it gave him confidence.

“For him to say something like that just feels amazing,” Doncic said. “It gives me confidence. And after that speech, it was chills. I was just happy to be a part of it.”

Austin Reaves said Doncic received a warm welcome and his introduction is the loudest he had ever witnessed.

“He came out … and obviously the place went crazy,” Austin Reaves said. “It was awesome. I thought the energy from that point forward was great. His introduction in the starting lineup was one of the loudest I’ve heard since I’ve been here.”

Lakers public address announcer Lawrence Tanter named Doncic as the last player, a slot that is mostly reserved for LeBron James.

“He let me have my moment, so I really appreciate it,” Doncic said. “I mean, today, he lent me this one. But from now on, he’ll be the last.”

The 25-year-old acknowledged he felt a bit nervous before taking the court for the Lakers but said he felt at ease after getting on the court.

“I was a little bit nervous before,” Doncic said. “I don’t remember the last time I was nervous before the game. But once I stepped on the court, it was fun. And just being out there again felt amazing.”

The Lakers have won six matches on the bounce and they will once again take on the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night.