Luka Doncic made a solid first impression in his Los Angeles Lakers debut, tallying 14 points, five rebounds, and four assists as the Lakers cruised to a 132-113 victory over the Utah Jazz on Monday night.
LeBron James led the way in typical fashion with 24 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds, while Austin Reaves contributed 22 points, helping the Lakers secure their sixth consecutive win. Seven Lakers players scored in double figures in a dominant performance that showcased their depth and potential.
Doncic, acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Dallas Mavericks on Feb. 2, returned to action after missing nearly two months due to a calf strain sustained on Christmas.
The 25-year-old star was on a minutes restriction, logging just under 24 minutes, but made his presence felt with several dazzling plays that electrified the home crowd.
Among Doncic’s standout moments were an alley-oop assist to Jaxson Hayes within the first minute of the game and a three-quarter court pass to LeBron James for a fast-break layup in the final seconds of the first half.
While Doncic showed some rust, shooting 5 of 14 from the field and just 1 of 7 from beyond the arc, his playmaking ability and chemistry with his new teammates were evident.
“I felt good out there,” Doncic said after the game. “Obviously, I’m not 100% yet, but being back on the court and getting this win with my new team is a great start.”
The Lakers who are 35-21 continued their red-hot stretch, winning 12 of their last 14 games to solidify their position in the Western Conference playoff race.
Los Angeles shot an impressive 54.3% from the floor and built a commanding 34-point lead at one point, leaving the Jazz with no answers.
Head coach JJ Redick praised Doncic’s seamless integration into the team. “Luka’s talent speaks for itself,” Redick said. “He’s a special player, and tonight he showed flashes of what he can bring to this group. The chemistry is building, and we’re excited about what’s ahead.”
The game was a star-studded affair at Crypto.com Arena, with celebrities including Adele, Will Ferrell, Flea and Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki in attendance to witness Doncic’s highly anticipated debut.
For the Jazz, Lauri Markkanen and John Collins each scored 17 points, but their efforts weren’t enough to halt the team’s struggles. Utah who is 23-33 has now dropped nine straight road games and continues to slide further out of playoff contention.
Jazz head coach Will Hardy expressed disappointment in his team’s performance but remained optimistic about their growth. “We knew this would be a tough challenge, especially with the attention surrounding Luka’s debut,” Hardy said. “These are learning moments for our young guys, and we’ll take what we can from this experience.”
Utah’s defense struggled to contain the Lakers’ balanced attack, and their offense struggled under the bright lights. The Jazz shot just 42.7% from the field and committed 15 turnovers, leading to 23 Lakers points.
Despite Doncic’s shooting struggles, his ability to orchestrate the offense and create opportunities for teammates highlighted why the Lakers were willing to part with significant assets to acquire him. His connection with LeBron James, in particular, was a promising sign for a team with championship aspirations.
“This is just the beginning,” James said of his new teammate. “Luka is one of the most gifted players in the league, and as he gets more comfortable, we’re going to be even more dangerous.”
The Lakers and Jazz will face off again on Wednesday in Salt Lake City, giving Utah a chance to respond and Los Angeles an opportunity to build on its momentum.