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Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after making a shot in the course of the second half of an NBA basketball recreation towards the Charlotte Hornets, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/William Liang)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) appears to be like to move the ball whereas beneath strain from Charlotte Hornets guard Elfrid Payton (22) in the course of 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) in the course of 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 be like to drive the ball towards Charlotte Hornets guard Elfrid Payton in the course of the first half of an NBA basketball recreation Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/William Liang)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after making a shot in the course of the second half of an NBA basketball recreation towards the Charlotte Hornets, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/William Liang)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after making a shot in the course of the second half of an NBA basketball recreation towards the Charlotte Hornets, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/William Liang)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) appears to be like to move the ball whereas beneath strain from Charlotte Hornets guard Elfrid Payton (22) in the course of 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 be like to move the ball whereas beneath strain from Charlotte Hornets guard Elfrid Payton (22) in the course of 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) in the course of 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) in the course of 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 be like to drive the ball towards Charlotte Hornets guard Elfrid Payton in the course of the first 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 be like to drive the ball towards Charlotte Hornets guard Elfrid Payton in the course of the first half of an NBA basketball recreation Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/William Liang)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Luka Doncic couldn’t discover his shot in his third recreation with the Los Angeles Lakers, and LeBron James couldn’t make up for it.
But the Lakers all say they aren’t anxious 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’s going to take a while,” Doncic stated. “Right this moment, 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 manner.”
The night was clearly irritating to Doncic, who was enjoying solely his third NBA recreation following a 6 1/2-week absence on account 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 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 house 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 crew 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 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 part was grim about Doncic’s efficiency towards Charlotte, his first during which he didn’t have a minutes restriction since his harm 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 finest gamers on this planet,” stated Austin Reaves, whose third-quarter ejection was swiftly adopted by the Hornets’ 22-1 run. “We’d like 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 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’re going to go to him,” Doncic stated. “I feel it’ll go each methods. One time it’s going to be him, and one time me. I feel it will depend 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’ last 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 prime gamers convened in San Francisco for the All-Star Game.
“Actually, I used to be getting my thoughts off basketball somewhat bit,” Doncic stated. “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 gained’t have time to dwell on this gradual begin: The Lakers jumped on a airplane to Portland after their loss, they usually’ll face the Path Blazers on Thursday earlier than visiting Denver on Saturday.
And the Lakers’ subsequent house recreation? It’s towards the Mavericks on Tuesday.
With the shock of the midseason commerce fading extra every day, Doncic is keen to look to the long run.
“This is among the biggest golf equipment on this planet, and I’m simply blissful to be right here,” Doncic stated. “Clearly, I’m going to want a while, however I’m blissful to signify the Lakers.”
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
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