Luka Doncic’s LA Lakers debut is officially in the books and he’s off to a winning start, with the team beating Utah Jazz 132-113 in front of a raucous home crowd.
LeBron James top-scored for the Los Angeles Lakers with 24 points but all eyes were on Luka Doncic, returning from an injury that last saw him wear the colors of the Dallas Mavericks.
After witnessing Anthony Davis’ Mavs debut end in a nightmare, the Lakers fans were waiting in quiet trepidation for Doncic to make his move.
Fortunately, the Lakers were out of sight soon which allowed JJ Redick to manage his manage his minutes and ease him back into action.
However, despite Doncic’s debut, it was another player entirely who ascended to superstar status after a dazzling display vs the Jazz.
Doncic was put into the starting lineup right away and he began showing why the Mavs fans were aghast at the trade, finding Jaxson Hayes for a lob soon after.
The arena erupted after a few minutes when Doncic banked in his first triple as an LA Laker, undoubtedly the first of many.
He would cool off a bit and not hit another 3PT shot, going 1/7 from three, but hit all three of his free throws for 14 points, adding five rebounds and four assists in the process.
Most of his minutes on the court were spent with LeBron James and lob threats in the form of Rui Hachimura and Hayes so he could build chemistry with his new teammates.
This was more of an appetizer for the Lakers fan than a full meal, which will undoubtedly come later but in the meantime, the fans found their bonafide third star next to James and Doncic.
Austin Reaves went undrafted in 2021 and has been with the LA Lakers since but nobody quite expected him to be as crucial a contributor as he’s become.
Against the Jazz, with all eyes on Doncic and how he pairs up with James, Reaves stood up and made himself counted as the third star for the Lakers.
He finished the game with 22 points, just behind James, but had the highest +/- on the team with 27 because of his all-around contributions.
He went 7/7 from FTs and added nine rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block in a display that keeps up his burgeoning reputation this season.
With Anthony Davis gone, the Lakers need more defensive tenacity from their guards to make up for his absence and Reaves gave a glimpse of it straightaway.
Most importantly, he did so without sacrificing his offensive repertoire but then again, that’s just what superstars do. That’s what Reaves has become now.
Doncic has two world-class teammates instead of one!
