A franchise that has presented some of the game’s most legendary players will celebrate the debut of his latest star, with Luka Doncic who is expected to take the court for the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday against the visiting Utah Jazz.
In a trade, no one saw coming that has been widely discussed since its acquired Lakers officially Doncic on February 2 for Anthony Davis in a deal that also sent Max Christie to Dallas and Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to Los Angeles.
Doncic’s debut Los Angeles has been delayed due to a calf injury, but he is finally expected to see action for the first time since Christmas Day. Doncic and LeBron James will now form a dynamic duo for a team that has been rejuvenated with five wins in a row and wins in 11 of the last 13 games.
“It’s just like a dream come true,” said 25-year-old Doncic to play with 40-year-old James, four times MVP. “I always looked up to him. There are so many things I can learn from him, and I’m just happy to learn everything and get to play with him. It’s a fantastic feeling.”
Lakers got a 124-117 home victory over Indiana Pacers on Saturday, when Austin Reaves got a career pile of 45 points, Rui Hachimura had 24 and Jaxson Hayes took 12 returns.
James did not play because of the left ankle and Reaves almost missed the game also because of a sore left elbow but decided shortly before Tipoff that he was ready to go.
“I woke up (Saturday) morning, it was sore everywhere, especially the elbow,” Reaves said. “My coach … looked at me and it’s like,” Well, out or in? “And I was like,” Let’s do it. “So it’s tough. But as I said, once you have come out and start playing, the adrenaline kicks in and you feel better.”
Jazz will play their second match in the Los Angeles area in three days after a loss of 130-110 to the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday. Jordan Clarkson scored 24 points for Utah, while Keyonte George added 21.
Jazz started quickly and had a 12-point lead during the first quarter. Clarkson was 4 out of 6 from 3-point intervals during the opening period. But Utah ended gasoline the other night by a back-to-back after an overtime loss to Phoenix Suns on Friday.
Utah is 2-11 since January 15 and is on an eight-game road that loses the line.
Five jazz players made in double figures on Saturday, including Johnny Juzang, who added 19 points to finish three at his season’s highest.
“We want to play in a style where everyone is involved in the game because I think that’s what will drive the group’s energy every day,” Utah coach Will Hardy said. “Everyone thinks everyone wants to shoot, and that’s pretty true, but the reality is that everyone wants to move the ball. … We try to emphasize every day that everyone is involved.”
-Field level media
