LOS ANGELES — The tone for Luka Doncic’s Lakers debut, a 132-113 home win against the Utah Jazz, was set before the 25-year-old recorded his first assist with an alley-oop to Jaxson Hayes less than a minute into the game.
And well before Doncic’s first basket as a Laker, a step-back 3-pointer over Walker Kessler on his second shot early in the first.
Because Monday night at Crypto.com Arena wasn’t simply about Doncic playing his first game in a Lakers jersey. Nor was it just about Doncic, who was previously sidelined since Dec. 25 because of a strained left calf, making his return to the court after the longest injury-related absence of his career.
It was a celebration: a Los Angeles-sized welcome of the Lakers’ newest superstar.
“Special,” Doncic said of his debut. “The way they received me, everybody, it was amazing to see. I was a little bit nervous before. I don’t remember the last time I was nervous before the game.
“But once I stepped on the court, it was fun. And just being out there again felt amazing.”
Every fan inside Crypto.com Arena received a gold No. 77 Doncic T-shirt for the occasion.
And one of Doncic’s biggest admirers – fellow Lakers co-star LeBron James – wore the shirt during his pregame warmups.
Dozens of cameras followed Doncic’s every step when it was time for his pregame warmups about an hour before tipoff.
The arena sound system played Serbian music during Doncic’s pregame warmup.
And he was introduced last in the Lakers’ starting lineup, a spot normally reserved for James, leading to a standing ovation.
Doncic said James texted him Monday morning and offered to do anything to help – and Doncic took him up on it by taking that final intro spot.
They’ll swap for the Lakers’ next home game next week, Doncic said with a smile.
“Shows what kind of person he is,” Doncic said. “He let me have my moment.”
And once it came time for the Lakers’ pregame huddle, James had a specific message for Doncic.
“Luka, be your [expletive] self,” James said. “Don’t fit in, fit the [expletive] out.”
The message was well-received by Doncic, who looked rusty at times (5-for-14 shooting, 1 for 7 from 3-point range), but still delivered a memorable debut, finishing with 14 points, five rebounds and four assists in 24 minutes.
“It’s special,” Doncic said. “For him to say something like that just feels amazing. It gives me confidence. And after that speech, it was chills. I was just happy to be a part of it.”
And there will be many more moments for Doncic to share with James on the court, with Monday just being the start of the Lakers’ newest 1-2 punch on-court partnership.
Coach JJ Redick said after Monday’s game that the plan was for Doncic and James to be available for Wednesday’s rematch against the Jazz in Salt Lake City, the Lakers’ last game before the All-Star break.
“I’m most excited by just the spirit of the group that we laid the foundation of who we’re going to be,” Redick said. “And it’s a process to build an identity. It’s not something that is easy. And there are moments of pain and moments of frustration.
“Our overall group buy-in is at a really high level. And I know Luka is motivated and Luka’s a competitor. And I expect that spirit to continue into All-Star break and post-All-Star break.”
LAKERS AT JAZZ
When: Wednesday, 6 p.m. PT
Where: Crypto.com Arena
TV/radio: Spectrum Sportsnet/710 AM