Los Angeles Lakers: Luka Doncic made an electrifying debut for the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday (IST), scoring 14 points in limited playing time and seamlessly integrating into a star-studded lineup alongside LeBron James.
The Lakers extended their winning streak to six games, cruising to a 132-113 victory over the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena.
Doncic, acquired in a blockbuster trade from the Dallas Mavericks, was welcomed with thunderous applause from the Lakers faithful, many of whom sported gold T-shirts bearing his name and the No. 77.
Although he played just 23 minutes, Doncic showcased flashes of brilliance, tallying five rebounds and four assists, including a stunning three-quarter-court pass to James for a layup late in the first half.
The Slovenian superstar’s first basket as a Laker came early in the game—a 3-pointer on his second shot attempt. He helped the Lakers build a dominant 25-point halftime lead, finishing with 11 points before the break. With Los Angeles in full control, Doncic checked out for good with 3:07 remaining in the third quarter.
This game marked Doncic’s first appearance nearly seven weeks after being sidelined with a left calf strain suffered on Christmas while still with Dallas.
The Lakers, who sent Anthony Davis and Max Christie to the Mavericks in a stunning trade, have been red-hot even before Doncic’s arrival, winning 11 of their last 13 games.
This game marked Doncic’s first appearance nearly seven weeks after being sidelined with a left calf strain suffered on Christmas while still with Dallas.
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Article Source: IANS