Dončić makes Lakers debut
Los Angeles, 11 February - Slovenian basketball superstar Luka Dončić made his debut with the Los Angeles Lakers to standing ovations on Monday night, scoring 14 points in 23 and a half minutes on the floor during his new team's 132-113 victory over the Utah Jazz.
Los Angeles, US
Los Angeles Lakers' welcome post to Luka Dončić on X.
Photo: X/Los Angeles Lakers
File photo
All spectators at the Crypto.com Arena received gold T-shirts with his name and No. 77 to welcome the Slovenian point guard after he was traded to the Lakers by the Dallas Mavericks in a shock move earlier this month.
Even multiple NBA champion LeBron James wore the T-shirt during warm-ups, urging Dončić to play his game and not to worry about fitting in with the Lakers.
Dončić described his debut in the Lakers jersey as a "special moment". "The way they received me, everybody, teammates, front office, everybody here. I heard a lot of noise when I was introduced, so I really appreciate it."
"I was a little bit nervous before the game but once I stepped on to the court it was fun. Just being out there again felt amazing," the 25-year-old Slovenian said after his first game in almost seven weeks since he strained his left calf on Christmas with the Dallas Mavericks.
He was cheered on from the stands by his fiancée, daughter and father, as well as Dirk Nowitzki, the former Dallas Mavericks star and his first mentor at his former club.
"I will always be a Mav for life, but had to come support my guy 77 Luka Dončić in the first game of his new chapter," Nowitzki wrote in a post on X.
"For him to show up, great friend, great mentor ... I really, really appreciate it," Dončić said of Nowitzki.
In 23:33 minutes on the floor, Dončić scored 14 points, five rebounds and four assists with one turnover. He hit five of 14 shots from the field, including only one of seven three-pointers. He hit all three free throws.
Even before the game Dončić made a good impression on LA by donating $500,000 (EUR 485,000) to wildfire relief efforts through his foundation.