- Luka Doncic made his long-awaited debut for the Los Angeles Lakers after recovering from a calf injury
- The Slovenian guard played 23 minutes, recording 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists in a 132-113 win over the Utah Jazz
- LeBron James led the Lakers to their sixth consecutive victory with 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists
Key Takeaways:
Luka Doncic finally made his NBA debut for the Los Angeles Lakers, donning the team’s iconic purple and gold jersey for the first time. The Slovenian star had been sidelined due to a calf injury, delaying his first appearance since arriving in the biggest trade of the NBA season.
Luka Doncic has officially played his first game as a Los Angeles Laker 😤 pic.twitter.com/Mc1FAl4LVO
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 11, 2025
For several games, Doncic watched from the sidelines, waiting for his opportunity to take the court. That moment came in the Lakers’ 132-113 win over the Utah Jazz, where he was part of the starting five. Four minutes into the game, he took his first shot as a Laker. He played a total of 23 minutes and 33 seconds, finishing with 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists.
His return had been highly anticipated, and some analysts even speculated that the Lakers may have rushed him back to capitalize on the immense fan and media interest.
LeBron James was the standout performer in the victory, delivering 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists. The win marked the Lakers’ sixth in a row as they continue their push for a strong finish to the season. They are now up to 4th position in the Western Conference with a 32-19 balance.