Luka Doncic will debut for the Los Angeles Lakers this Monday in a highly anticipated matchup against the Utah Jazz.
This game marks not only Doncic’s first appearance since his surprising trade from the Dallas Mavericks but also his return to the court after nearly seven weeks of recovery.
Earlier in the day, the Lakers upgraded Doncic’s status to probable, and he was seen engaging in warm-up exercises before the 10:30 p.m. ET tipoff.
Here’s a closer look at what to expect from Doncic’s debut with the Lakers.
How will the Lakers celebrate Doncic’s debut?
To mark this special occasion, the Lakers announced that all fans attending the sold-out game will receive a complimentary Doncic shirt emblazoned with his iconic No. 77.
LeBron James was seen wearing the same shirt during the pregame shootaround, showcasing team unity and excitement for the new addition.
Additionally, former Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki is set to be in attendance to support Doncic as he begins this new chapter in his career.
How long has it been since Doncic last played?
The Slovenian star last played for the Mavericks on Christmas Day, where he suffered a left calf strain. This injury sidelined him for 19 games until his recent trade to Los Angeles.
Since Doncic’s arrival in LA, the Lakers have played three games. He observed from the bench as James led the team to a decisive 122-97 victory over the Clippers. Doncic also sat out against the Golden State Warriors and the Indiana Pacers, both of which resulted in Lakers wins.
Why didn’t Doncic play over the weekend?
According to assistant coach JJ Redick, the goal was to ensure Doncic felt fully confident in his abilities before returning to the court. He emphasized the importance of not rushing the recovery process, noting that both fans and the coaching staff were eager to see him play.
Last Wednesday, Doncic participated in a 5-on-5 “stay-ready” game with his teammates and coaching staff, and Redick reported that Doncic has shown no setbacks in his recovery.
“All is well. All is positive,” Redick stated, expressing hope that Doncic would soon be back in action, as everyone is eager to see him don the Laker uniform.
After practice, Doncic was seen chatting with Redick, James, assistant coach Scott Brooks, and forward Dorian Finney-Smith, who was Doncic’s teammate in Dallas for several seasons. Finney-Smith joined the Lakers shortly after Christmas.
How is Doncic jelling so far with his teammates?
LeBron James, who is adjusting to the recent trade of his long-time teammate Anthony Davis, expressed excitement about collaborating with Doncic, whom he has admired for years.
“Luka has been my favorite player in the NBA for a while now,” James remarked after the Lakers’ victory over the Clippers. “I’ve always tried to inspire the next generation, and Luka is one of them. Now, we are teammates, which should make for a smooth integration.”
During the game against the Pacers, James was on the bench next to Doncic, and they shared conversations in anticipation of their debut together against Utah.
Other teammates have also welcomed Doncic warmly. Finney-Smith shared his thoughts, stating, “Even though I don’t like how things went down, I’m glad he’s on my side now.”
He further commented on the Mavericks’ concerns regarding Doncic’s conditioning, saying, “I know he wants to play the whole game. He played 40 minutes every game last playoffs. If he’s producing like that, maybe I should be 270 pounds too.”
As Doncic prepares to return to the court, Redick believes he will quickly adjust to the Lakers’ style of play alongside James.
“The biggest learning curve is just the language,” Redick explained. “Luka understands basketball at a high level. We use many concepts he is already familiar with from his time in Dallas. Adding Luka to our team enhances our intelligent offensive strategy.”
