Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic brings the ball up the court docket towards the Utah Jazz throughout the first half of an NBA basketball sport, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, in Salt Lake Metropolis. (AP Photograph/Rob Grey)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic brings the ball up the court docket towards the Utah Jazz throughout the first half of an NBA basketball sport, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, in Salt Lake Metropolis. (AP Photograph/Rob Grey)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic watches from the bench throughout the second half of an NBA basketball sport towards the Utah Jazz, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, in Salt Lake Metropolis. (AP Photograph/Rob Grey)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots over Utah Jazz ahead Lauri Markkanen (23) and guard Jordan Clarkson (00) throughout the first quarter of an NBA basketball sport, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, in Salt Lake Metropolis. (AP Photograph/Rob Grey)
Los Angeles Lakers ahead LeBron James (23) slaps arms with guard Luka Doncic (77) throughout the second half of an NBA basketball sport towards the Utah Jazz, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, in Salt Lake Metropolis. (AP Photograph/Rob Grey)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after making a shot throughout the second half of an NBA basketball sport towards the Charlotte Hornets, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photograph/William Liang)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) seems to be to cross the ball whereas beneath strain from Charlotte Hornets guard Elfrid Payton (22) throughout the second half of an NBA basketball sport Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photograph/William Liang)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) drives the ball whereas pursued by Charlotte Hornets guard Elfrid Payton (22) throughout the second half of an NBA basketball sport Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photograph/William Liang)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) seems to be to drive the ball towards Charlotte Hornets guard Elfrid Payton throughout the first half of an NBA basketball sport Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photograph/William Liang)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Luka Doncic could not discover his shot in his third sport with the Los Angeles Lakers, and LeBron James could not make up for it.
But the Lakers all say they are not fearful after their embarrassing 100-97 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday evening.
Doncic scored 14 factors on 5-of-18 capturing, together with a 1-for-9 efficiency on 3-point makes an attempt. The Slovenian famous person added 11 rebounds and eight assists, but in addition dedicated six turnovers and 5 private fouls whereas enjoying 33 minutes in his longest efficiency since becoming a member of the Lakers in a blockbuster trade with Dallas.
“Clearly, it will take a while,” Doncic stated. “Right this moment, a variety of rustiness from my half. Began the sport with like 4 or 5 turnovers. That may’t occur. Simply acquired to play basketball the proper means.”
The night was clearly irritating to Doncic, who was enjoying solely his third NBA sport following a 6 1/2-week absence because of a calf pressure incurred on Christmas. On a few events when this usually electrifying scorer managed to make a shot towards the Hornets, Doncic reacted with a visual mixture of reduction and frustration.
Doncic is 16 for 45 from the sphere in his three video games with the Lakers, however simply 5 for twenty-four on 3-point makes an attempt — together with 2 for 16 in his two residence video games, the place followers have buzzed with anticipation of every shot after which groaned at every clank.
Again-to-back losses to cellar-dwelling Utah and Charlotte are grim outcomes for a staff that had gained 10 of 11, however the 40-year-old James additionally isn’t involved about Doncic’s begin in purple and gold.
“It’s his third sport since Christmas, and it’s his third sport with us,” James stated. “He nonetheless doesn’t know all of the performs. He doesn’t know all of the defensive coverages, all of the alerts and issues that we’ve constructed up since September. Clearly, we’re making an attempt to fast-track it on the fly. He’s getting back from his harm. He’s getting again into kind, so we’re working via it collectively.”
Not every thing was grim about Doncic’s efficiency towards Charlotte, his first by which he didn’t have a minutes restriction since his harm return. He led Los Angeles in rebounds, and his plus-13 score was the Lakers’ finest quantity regardless of his turnovers.
“He’s acquired to be snug being himself, as a result of he’s top-of-the-line gamers on this planet,” stated Austin Reaves, whose third-quarter ejection was swiftly adopted by the Hornets’ 22-1 run. “We want him to be him, and it’s simply going to take a few video games, a few weeks to determine what that finest seems to be like. However we are able to determine it out pretty shortly.”
With the sport on the road within the closing seconds, Doncic was the one inbounding the ball to James, who then missed two 3-point makes an attempt within the closing six seconds. Doncic had no downside with not being within the late-game highlight.
“He had it going, so clearly we will go to him,” Doncic stated. “I feel it’s going to go each methods. One time it will be him, and one time me. I feel it depends upon how the sport goes.”
The Lakers acquired Doncic from the Mavs on Feb. 2 in a seismic commerce that despatched Anthony Davis to Dallas.
Doncic played in each of the Lakers’ closing two video games earlier than the All-Star break, however he logged solely 47 complete minutes whereas the Lakers eased him again into competitors. Doncic then acquired a number of days of restoration and reset whereas the remainder of the NBA’s high gamers convened in San Francisco for the All-Star Game.
“Actually, I used to be getting my thoughts off basketball a little bit bit,” Doncic stated. “I’m simply excited to return again and play. I missed a variety of time. I’ve by no means missed this a lot time, so it was one thing new to me. Now I’m simply excited to get again to play.”
Doncic will not have time to dwell on this gradual begin: The Lakers jumped on a airplane to Portland after their loss, and so they’ll face the Path Blazers on Thursday earlier than visiting Denver on Saturday.
And the Lakers’ subsequent residence sport? It is towards the Mavericks on Tuesday.
With the shock of the midseason commerce fading extra every day, Doncic is raring to look to the longer term.
“This is likely one of the best golf equipment on this planet, and I am simply blissful to be right here,” Doncic stated. “Clearly, I will want a while, however I am blissful to signify the Lakers.”
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
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