Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic brings the ball up the court docket in opposition to the Utah Jazz throughout the first half of an NBA basketball recreation, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, in Salt Lake Metropolis. (AP Picture/Rob Grey)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic brings the ball up the court docket in opposition to the Utah Jazz throughout the first half of an NBA basketball recreation, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, in Salt Lake Metropolis. (AP Picture/Rob Grey)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic watches from the bench throughout the second half of an NBA basketball recreation in opposition to the Utah Jazz, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, in Salt Lake Metropolis. (AP Picture/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 recreation, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, in Salt Lake Metropolis. (AP Picture/Rob Grey)
Los Angeles Lakers ahead LeBron James (23) slaps palms with guard Luka Doncic (77) throughout the second half of an NBA basketball recreation in opposition to the Utah Jazz, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, in Salt Lake Metropolis. (AP Picture/Rob Grey)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after making a shot throughout the second half of an NBA basketball recreation in opposition to the Charlotte Hornets, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/William Liang)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) appears to go the ball whereas below stress from Charlotte Hornets guard Elfrid Payton (22) throughout the second half of an NBA basketball recreation Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/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 recreation Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/William Liang)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) appears to drive the ball in opposition to Charlotte Hornets guard Elfrid Payton throughout the first half of an NBA basketball recreation Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/William Liang)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Luka Doncic could not discover his shot in his third recreation with the Los Angeles Lakers, and LeBron James could not make up for it.
But the Lakers all say they don’t seem to be frightened after their embarrassing 100-97 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night time.
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’ll take some time,” Doncic stated. “In the present day, a number of rustiness from my half. Began the sport with like 4 or 5 turnovers. That may’t occur. Simply obtained to play basketball the fitting method.”
The night was clearly irritating to Doncic, who was enjoying solely his third NBA recreation following a 6 1/2-week absence attributable to a calf pressure incurred on Christmas. On a few events when this usually electrifying scorer managed to make a shot in opposition to the Hornets, Doncic reacted with a visual mixture of aid and frustration.
Doncic is 16 for 45 from the sector 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 received 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 recreation since Christmas, and it’s his third recreation 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 damage. He’s getting again into type, so we’re working by it collectively.”
Not the whole lot was grim about Doncic’s efficiency in opposition to Charlotte, his first by which he didn’t have a minutes restriction since his damage return. He led Los Angeles in rebounds, and his plus-13 ranking was the Lakers’ greatest quantity regardless of his turnovers.
“He’s obtained to be comfy being himself, as a result of he’s among the finest gamers on the 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 greatest appears like. However we are able to determine it out pretty rapidly.”
With the sport on the road within the last seconds, Doncic was the one inbounding the ball to James, who then missed two 3-point makes an attempt within the last six seconds. Doncic had no drawback with not being within the late-game highlight.
“He had it going, so clearly we’ll go to him,” Doncic stated. “I believe it’s going to go each methods. One time it’ll be him, and one time me. I believe 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’ last two video games earlier than the All-Star break, however he logged solely 47 whole minutes whereas the Lakers eased him again into competitors. Doncic then obtained a number of days of restoration and reset whereas the remainder of the NBA’s prime gamers convened in San Francisco for the All-Star Game.
“Actually, I used to be getting my thoughts off basketball just a little bit,” Doncic stated. “I’m simply excited to come back again and play. I missed a number 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 sluggish begin: The Lakers jumped on a aircraft to Portland after their loss, they usually’ll face the Path Blazers on Thursday earlier than visiting Denver on Saturday.
And the Lakers’ subsequent residence recreation? It is in opposition to the Mavericks on Tuesday.
With the shock of the midseason commerce fading extra every day, Doncic is raring to look to the long run.
“This is likely one of the biggest golf equipment on the planet, and I am simply glad to be right here,” Doncic stated. “Clearly, I’ll want a while, however I am glad to signify the Lakers.”
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
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