Luka Dončić pissed off by tough taking pictures sport, however Lakers imagine he'll discover his rhythm – NBA.Com

Luka Dončić couldn’t discover his shot in his third sport with the Lakers, and LeBron James couldn’t make up for it.
Greg Beacham | The Related Press
Luka Dončić is 16-for-45 from the sector in his 3 video games with the Lakers, however simply 5-for-24 on 3-point makes an attempt.
• Get NBA League Pass TODAY
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Luka Dončić couldn’t discover his shot in his third sport with the Los Angeles Lakers, and LeBron James couldn’t make up for it.
But the Lakers all say they aren’t nervous after their embarrassing 100-97 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night time.
Dončić 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 additionally 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 commerce with Dallas.
“Clearly, it’s going to take some time,” Dončić mentioned. “At this time, plenty of rustiness from my half. Began the sport with like 4 or 5 turnovers. That may’t occur. Simply bought to play basketball the proper method.”
The night was clearly irritating to Dončić, who was enjoying solely his third NBA sport following a 6 1/2-week absence resulting from 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, Dončić reacted with a visual mixture of reduction and frustration.
Dončić is 16-for-45 from the sector in his three video games with the Lakers, however simply 5-for-24 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 workforce 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 mentioned. “He nonetheless doesn’t know all of the performs. He doesn’t know all of the defensive coverages, all of the indicators and issues that we’ve constructed up since September. Clearly, we’re attempting 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 all the pieces was grim about Dončić’s efficiency in opposition to 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 score was the Lakers’ finest quantity regardless of his turnovers.
“He’s bought to be snug being himself, as a result of he’s probably the greatest gamers on the earth,” mentioned Austin Reaves, whose third-quarter ejection was swiftly adopted by the Hornets’ 18-1 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 rapidly.”
With the sport on the road within the remaining seconds, Dončić was the one inbounding the ball to James, who then missed two 3-point makes an attempt within the remaining six seconds. Dončić had no drawback with not being within the late-game highlight.
“He had it going, so clearly we’re going to go to him,” Dončić mentioned. “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 Dončić from the Mavs on Feb. 2 in a seismic commerce that despatched Anthony Davis to Dallas.
Dončić performed in each of the Lakers’ remaining two video games earlier than the All-Star break, however he logged solely 47 whole minutes whereas the Lakers eased him again into competitors. Dončić then bought 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 Recreation.
“Truthfully, I used to be getting my thoughts off basketball just a little bit,” Dončić mentioned. “I’m simply excited to return again and play. I missed plenty 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.”
Dončić gained’t 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 house sport? It’s in opposition to the Mavericks on Tuesday.
With the shock of the midseason commerce fading extra every day, Dončić is raring to look to the long run.
“This is likely one of the best golf equipment on the earth, and I’m simply completely happy to be right here,” Dončić mentioned. “Clearly, I’m going to want a while, however I’m completely happy to symbolize the Lakers.”
Playoff positioning, the race for Kia MVP and NBA Draft Lottery odds will all come into focus over the subsequent 2 months.
Oklahoma Metropolis holds the highest spot and the High 10 is usually unchanged after NBA All-Star 2025 in San Francisco.
The Lakers star mentioned lingering foot and ankle discomfort hadn't healed to the purpose he was snug enjoying in Sunday's occasion.
Luka Dončić's 1st sport in a Lakers uniform portends particular issues to return for him, his new workforce and the NBA.
Playoff positioning, the race for Kia MVP and NBA Draft Lottery odds will all come into focus over the subsequent 2 months.
Oklahoma Metropolis holds the highest spot and the High 10 is usually unchanged after NBA All-Star 2025 in San Francisco.
The Lakers star mentioned lingering foot and ankle discomfort hadn't healed to the purpose he was snug enjoying in Sunday's occasion.
Luka Dončić's 1st sport in a Lakers uniform portends particular issues to return for him, his new workforce and the NBA.
Highlighting key gamers to observe as Cleveland visits Brooklyn on Thursday night time.
Given his fashion of play, Nuggets coach Mike Malone believes Jokić can might final within the league at an elite stage for some time.
Our day-by-day breakdown of the gamers born on every day of the 12 months continues. Try the NBA Gamers born on Jan. 9.
Our day-by-day breakdown of the gamers born on every day of the 12 months continues. Try the NBA gamers born on Jan. 8
Whereas it's a house sport for the Spurs, it's a homecoming for KD, who will play in Austin for the first time since starring at Texas.
With the 2025 playoffs precisely two months away, get caught up on all the important thing storylines because the stretch run begins tonight.

source