The LA Lakers are adjusting amid a month of change, coming down to earth in a road loss to the Jazz.
Luka Doncic returned from a calf injury on Monday for his Lakers debut against the Utah Jazz, playing a part in the team’s blowout 132-113 win. Despite his inefficient shooting, fans were encouraged by how Doncic can impact the game.
The positive feelings started to wear after last night’s 131-119 loss to the same Jazz squad. Doncic didn’t look great in his 23 minutes, putting up 16 points (6-13 FG), four rebounds, four assists, and five turnovers.
While fans are giving Luka time to integrate himself into the team and get back to 100%, the loss has provided a return to reality.
Luka Doncic will now play after a week’s rest as the NBA All-Star Weekend is upon us. It gives him time to get healthier and hopefully be weened off the minutes restriction he’s had since returning. Head coach JJ Redick has been protective of his new superstar so far.
JJ Redick is uniquely positioned to deal with a star like Luka Doncic. As a former player who retired recently, Redick has previously played alongside Doncic on the Dallas Mavericks. Redick would retire after a short stint in Dallas but built a relationship with Doncic.
The only podcast appearances Doncic made as a Maverick have come with JJ Redick. Now, he’s welcoming the opportunity to be coached by Redick while claiming it feels like he’s a veteran coach already.
“He’s a great coach. I know it’s only his first year but it doesn’t feel like it. It feels like he’s been here for 15 years. Props to him, and I can’t wait to be coached more by him.”
Redick is the third head coach Doncic has worked with in his seven-year NBA career. The first was Rick Carlisle, whose final season with the Mavericks was also Redick’s retirement season.
He spent the last three-and-a-half years with JJ Redick before being unceremoniously traded to Redick’s Lakers.
Redick has exceeded expectations with LA this season. The team was expected to be a Play-In squad but are currently 32-20, just three games behind the No. 2 seed in the West.
Luka Doncic is back on the court for the Lakers, which is a great fact after they acquired him while he was sidelined. However, the team held him back this week in anticipation of the All-Star break giving him more time to rest.
The Slovenian superstar made it clear that he isn’t satisfied with his current performances. However, he is excited about returning to the court after taking a mental break over All-Star Weekend.
“I felt a little bit rusty. Two games in after my injury, turnovers, and missed free throws, I gotta do better. But now I think we’re approaching this break. We gotta rest. For me, it’s more mental rest than anything else. But still gotta work. I’m excited about this break and can’t wait to play again.”
Luka Doncic didn’t make the All-Star team for the first time since 2019 this season. This will be a useful break for him, allowing him to get in shape for the final stretch of the season.
He’s averaging 15.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists on 40.7 FG% and 26.7 3P% in two games with the Lakers this season. He’s averaging 27.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 7.5 assists on the season as a whole.
