Luka Doncic’s LA Lakers debut is formally within the books and he’s off to a profitable begin, with the workforce beating Utah Jazz 132-113 in entrance of a raucous house crowd.
LeBron James top-scored for the Los Angeles Lakers with 24 factors however all eyes have been on Luka Doncic, coming back from an damage that final noticed him put on the colours of the Dallas Mavericks.
After witnessing Anthony Davis’ Mavs debut finish in a nightmare, the Lakers followers have been ready in quiet trepidation for Doncic to make his transfer.
Luckily, the Lakers have been out of sight quickly which allowed JJ Redick to handle his handle his minutes and ease him again into motion.
Nonetheless, regardless of Doncic’s debut, it was one other participant solely who ascended to famous person standing after a blinding show vs the Jazz.
Doncic was put into the beginning lineup instantly and he started displaying why the Mavs followers have been aghast on the commerce, discovering Jaxson Hayes for a lob quickly after.
The sector erupted after a couple of minutes when Doncic banked in his first triple as an LA Laker, undoubtedly the primary of many.
He would cool off a bit and never hit one other 3PT shot, going 1/7 from three, however hit all three of his free throws for 14 factors, including 5 rebounds and 4 assists within the course of.
Most of his minutes on the court docket have been spent with LeBron James and lob threats within the type of Rui Hachimura and Hayes so he may construct chemistry together with his new teammates.
This was extra of an appetizer for the Lakers fan than a full meal, which is able to undoubtedly come later however within the meantime, the followers discovered their bonafide third star subsequent to James and Doncic.
Austin Reaves went undrafted in 2021 and has been with the LA Lakers since however no person fairly anticipated him to be as essential a contributor as he’s turn out to be.
Towards the Jazz, with all eyes on Doncic and the way he pairs up with James, Reaves stood up and made himself counted because the third star for the Lakers.
He completed the sport with 22 factors, simply behind James, however had the best +/- on the workforce with 27 due to his all-around contributions.
He went 7/7 from FTs and added 9 rebounds, 4 assists, one steal, and one block in a show that retains up his burgeoning popularity this season.
With Anthony Davis gone, the Lakers want extra defensive tenacity from their guards to make up for his absence and Reaves gave a glimpse of it straightaway.
Most significantly, he did so with out sacrificing his offensive repertoire however then once more, that’s simply what superstars do. That’s what Reaves has turn out to be now.
Doncic has two world-class teammates as an alternative of 1!
