LOS ANGELES – Luka Doncic started the doable day of his debut with the Los Angeles Lakers by donating $500,000 to fireside restoration efforts in his new neighborhood.
The Slovenian famous person was listed as questionable for the Lakers’ house sport towards Utah on Monday night time. Coach JJ Redick mentioned final week that he thought Doncic could be able to debut at house towards the Jazz for the Lakers, who acquired him simply over per week in the past from the Dallas Mavericks in a seismic commerce for Anthony Davis and Max Christie.
Doncic hasn’t performed in a sport since Christmas due to a strained left calf, however he participated in follow along with his new group final week.
He additionally made an instantaneous impression on Los Angeles by donating cash to assist with the harm brought on by the rampant wildfires that devastated elements of Southern California final month — together with Pacific Palisades, the place Redick’s house was misplaced.
“It has been so unhappy to see and study extra concerning the harm from the wildfires as I landed in LA,” Doncic wrote on his Luka Doncic Basis’s social media channels. “I am unable to imagine it, and I really feel for all the children who misplaced their properties, faculties and the locations the place they used to play with their pals. At this time, my basis is donating $500,000 to speedy restoration efforts. I’m additionally dedicated to serving to rebuild courts, playgrounds and fields that have been destroyed, as a result of each child wants a secure place to play.
“To everybody affected by these fires: we’re right here to assist, now and for the lengthy haul.”
Doncic signed his be aware: “Your new neighbor.”
Doncic’s preliminary donation is being made to the Group Basis Wildfire Restoration Fund. He additionally plans to donate “vital further funding over the following two years” with a deal with rebuilding kids’s play areas, in keeping with a spokesperson.
The Lakers are enjoying excellent basketball even earlier than they added Doncic, final season’s NBA scoring champion and a five-time All-NBA choice. Los Angeles has gained 5 straight and 11 of 13 after Austin Reaves scored a career-high 45 factors to steer the Lakers previous Indiana 124-117 on Sunday with out Doncic or LeBron James, who sat out to relaxation his sore ankle.
Doncic has watched three straight Lakers victories from their bench since arriving in Los Angeles per week in the past. He noticed Reaves’ decimation of the Pacers whereas sitting subsequent to the 40-year-old James, a participant typically described by Doncic as his idol.
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