Copyright 2025 The Related Press. All Rights Reserved.
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) \u2014 Luka Doncic couldn\u2019t discover his shot in his third recreation with the Los Angeles Lakers, and LeBron James couldn\u2019t make up for it.
But the Lakers all say they aren\u2019t anxious after their embarrassing 100-97 loss<\/a><\/span> 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<\/a><\/span>.
\u201cClearly, it\u2019s going to take a while,\u201d Doncic stated. \u201cRight this moment, numerous rustiness from my half. Began the sport with like 4 or 5 turnovers. That may\u2019t occur. Simply received to play basketball the best manner.\u201d
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 \u2014 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<\/a><\/span> and Charlotte are grim outcomes for a crew that had gained 10 of 11, however the 40-year-old James additionally isn\u2019t involved about Doncic\u2019s begin in purple and gold.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s his third recreation since Christmas, and it\u2019s his third recreation with us,\u201d James stated. \u201cHe nonetheless doesn\u2019t know all of the performs. He doesn\u2019t know all of the defensive coverages, all of the alerts and issues that we\u2019ve constructed up since September. Clearly, we\u2019re making an attempt to fast-track it on the fly. He\u2019s getting back from his harm. He\u2019s getting again into kind, so we\u2019re working via it collectively.\u201d Copyright 2025 The Related Press. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n
Not every part was grim about Doncic\u2019s efficiency towards Charlotte, his first during which he didn\u2019t have a minutes restriction since his harm return. He led Los Angeles in rebounds, and his plus-13 ranking was the Lakers\u2019 finest quantity regardless of his turnovers.
\u201cHe\u2019s received to be comfy being himself, as a result of he\u2019s among the finest gamers on this planet,\u201d stated Austin Reaves, whose third-quarter ejection was swiftly adopted by the Hornets\u2019 22-1 run. \u201cWe’d like him to be him, and it\u2019s 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.\u201d
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.
\u201cHe had it going, so clearly we\u2019re going to go to him,\u201d Doncic stated. \u201cI feel it\u2019ll go each methods. One time it\u2019s going to be him, and one time me. I feel it will depend on how the sport goes.\u201d
The Lakers acquired Doncic<\/a><\/span> from the Mavs on Feb. 2 in a seismic commerce that despatched Anthony Davis to Dallas.
Doncic played<\/a><\/span> in each of the Lakers\u2019 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\u2019s prime gamers convened in San Francisco for the All-Star Game<\/a><\/span>.
\u201cActually, I used to be getting my thoughts off basketball somewhat bit,\u201d Doncic stated. \u201cI\u2019m simply excited to return again and play. I missed numerous time. I\u2019ve by no means missed this a lot time, so it was one thing new to me. Now I\u2019m simply excited to get again to play.\u201d
Doncic gained\u2019t have time to dwell on this gradual begin: The Lakers jumped on a airplane to Portland after their loss, they usually\u2019ll face the Path Blazers on Thursday earlier than visiting Denver on Saturday.
And the Lakers\u2019 subsequent house recreation? It\u2019s 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.
\u201cThis is among the biggest golf equipment on this planet, and I\u2019m simply blissful to be right here,\u201d Doncic stated. \u201cClearly, I\u2019m going to want a while, however I\u2019m blissful to signify the Lakers.\u201d
AP NBA: https:\/\/apnews.com\/NBA<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n