Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic brings the ball up the court docket towards the Utah Jazz through the first half of an NBA basketball recreation, 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 through the first half of an NBA basketball recreation, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, in Salt Lake Metropolis. (AP Photograph/Rob Grey)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic watches from the bench through the second half of an NBA basketball recreation 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) through the first quarter of an NBA basketball recreation, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, in Salt Lake Metropolis. (AP Photograph/Rob Grey)
Los Angeles Lakers ahead LeBron James (23) slaps palms with guard Luka Doncic (77) through the second half of an NBA basketball recreation 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 through the second half of an NBA basketball recreation towards the Charlotte Hornets, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photograph/William Liang)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) appears to be like to cross the ball whereas underneath stress from Charlotte Hornets guard Elfrid Payton (22) through the second half of an NBA basketball recreation 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) through the second half of an NBA basketball recreation Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photograph/William Liang)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) appears to be like to drive the ball towards Charlotte Hornets guard Elfrid Payton through the first half of an NBA basketball recreation Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photograph/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 apprehensive after their embarrassing 100-97 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday evening.
Doncic scored 14 factors on 5-of-18 taking pictures, together with a 1-for-9 efficiency on 3-point makes an attempt. The Slovenian celebrity added 11 rebounds and eight assists, but in addition dedicated six turnovers and 5 private fouls whereas taking part in 33 minutes in his longest efficiency since becoming a member of the Lakers in a blockbuster trade with Dallas.
“Clearly, it may take a while,” Doncic mentioned. “As we speak, numerous rustiness from my half. Began the sport with like 4 or 5 turnovers. That may’t occur. Simply received to play basketball the best means.”
The night was clearly irritating to Doncic, who was taking part in solely his third NBA recreation 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 aid 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 dwelling 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 group 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 recreation since Christmas, and it’s his third recreation with us,” James mentioned. “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 way of it collectively.”
Not every little thing was grim about Doncic’s efficiency towards Charlotte, his first during 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’ finest quantity regardless of his turnovers.
“He’s received to be comfy being himself, as a result of he’s among the best gamers on the planet,” mentioned 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 appears to be like like. However we will determine it out pretty shortly.”
With the sport on the road within the remaining seconds, Doncic was the one inbounding the ball to James, who then missed two 3-point makes an attempt within the remaining 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 mentioned. “I feel it will go each methods. One time it may be him, and one time me. I feel it relies on 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’ remaining 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 received 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 just a little bit,” Doncic mentioned. “I’m simply excited to return again and play. I missed numerous 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 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 dwelling recreation? 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 without doubt one of the biggest golf equipment on the planet, and I am simply completely happy to be right here,” Doncic mentioned. “Clearly, I will want a while, however I am completely happy to characterize the Lakers.”
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
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