It wasn’t another night time, not within the story of this season, not within the historical past of this franchise.
Earlier than Luka Doncic performed his first second as a Laker, his title and quantity have been on a T-shirt draped over each seat within the constructing. His aura was inescapable, from the Slovenian pregame music to the excitement within the constructing every time his face appeared on the scoreboard.
It’d been greater than per week because the Lakers shocked everybody by dealing for Doncic, a transfer that secured the group its future. This was what folks needed to see.
And amongst these folks? LeBron James.
Sometime, this will likely be Doncic’s franchise, however Monday’s Lakers debut was as a lot concerning the partnership between their two finest gamers, No. 23 and No. 77 turning the constructing’s vitality all the way in which to 100.
Earlier than the Lakers’ 132-113 win towards Utah, James and Doncic gathered within the crew’s huddle after introductions. Notably, Doncic, as a substitute of James, heard his title final. And if Doncic wanted one other reminder of how he was being embraced, James gave it to him.
“Don’t slot in,” James instructed Doncic whereas addressing the crew. “Match the f— out. Be your self.”
James’ enthusiasm for this was apparent. Pregame, he warmed up in one of many Doncic No. 77 giveaway shirts. On the courtroom, he didn’t shoot for practically the primary six minutes, setting the stage for the sort of crew basketball the Lakers wish to play regardless of having two of the sport’s finest particular person scorers now in the identical uniform.
In totality, Doncic’s particular person debut went predictably — moments of brilliance just like the stepback three for his first bucket, the full-court laser to James for the pair’s first connection and the lockdown defensive possession on Jordan Clarkson. Others have been indicators of accrued rust, Doncic lacking six threes and 9 subject targets in his first recreation since Christmas due to a calf pressure. Earlier than the sport, coach JJ Redick stated Doncic could be on a minutes restrict because the Lakers “ease” him again into NBA motion. Monday within the blowout, he logged simply 23 minutes.
He completed with 14 factors, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.
However round him, the Lakers (32-19) have been the sort of glorious they’ve been for the final 14 video games. Throughout that stretch the Lakers have gained 12 occasions, dropping solely to the Clippers and the 76ers, discovering a toughness on each side of the ball that’s pushed them 13 video games over .500.
Monday, James was once more terrific on each side, scoring 24 however enjoying with unimaginable defensive vitality. Austin Reaves, recent off a 45-point recreation Saturday, scored 22 on solely 10 pictures whereas grabbing 9 rebounds. Jaxson Hayes, the Lakers’ new beginning middle after Mark Williams failed in his bodily, scored 12 factors on good six-of-six capturing. And Rui Hachimura had 21 factors and 6 rebounds in a recreation the Lakers led by as many as 34.
The Lakers play the Jazz on Wednesday in Utah (12-40) of their last recreation earlier than the All-Star break.