Luka Doncic debuts with Lakers as LA beats Utah

LOS ANGELES: Lakers’ fans got their first look at Luka Doncic on the Crypto Arena court with his new gold and purple jersey on, as Los Angeles hosted the Utah Jazz on Monday night.

Luka played 23 minutes against the Jazz, scoring 14 points during that time. He also had five rebounds and four assists in his first ever game as a Laker.

With Luka just coming off of a calf injury, and getting used to his new surroudnings and teammates, the offensive load was carried by LeBron James and Austin Reaves. LeBron continued to defy age, leading the Lakers in points with 24, as well as recording seven rebounds and nine assists. Reaves had 22 points, as well as nine rebounds and four assists. Rui Hachimura also contributed 21 points.

Lauri Markkanen and Josh Collins both had 17 points for the Jazz, with Jordan Clarkson close behind with 16.

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The Game

Los Angeles had a 37 – 25 lead by the end of the first. Luka began his Lakers career with a step back three near the top of the key. He had a putack layup later in the quarter for a total of five points in the frame. LeBron had seven points in the quarter, beginning with two fadeaway jumpshots in successive possessions, before he hit a three from the top of the key with a minute left in the quarter. Reaves had eight points in the quarter with a pair of threes and couple free throws. Markkanen and Collins both had seven points in the quarter.

Luka recorded two more baskets in the second, along with two free throws for a total of six points in the frame. Reaves had another seven points in the quarter, while LeBron had another six. The Lakers would end the quarter with a 72 – 47 lead. They would pull away even further in the third, leading by as many as 34 points. LeBron led scoring with nine points, six of which came from two makes from deep. Hachimura also had two three pointers in the frame, along with a tip layup to bring his total to 17 for the night. Luka had three points in the quarter, from an and one driving layup. The third ended with the Lakers up 25 points, 100-75.

LeBron ended his night early into the frame after scoring a putback layup to bring his total to 25. Reaves and Hachimura had another five and four points respectively. Jordan Goodwin was the Lakers leading scorer in the fourth, adding 11 points to the Los Angeles total. He finished with 17 for the game. Johnny Juzang and Kyle Filipowski of the Jazz combined for 20 points in the frame, but that wwasnt nearly enough to make up for the 19 point deficit they ended the game with.

The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Utah Jazz 132 – 113, marking their sixth victory in a row. It is their first with their newly acquired superstar Luka Doncic, who will likely become the face of the franchise soon.

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