Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after making a shot in the course of the second half of an NBA basketball sport in opposition to the Charlotte Hornets, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/William Liang)
LOS ANGELES — Luka Doncic couldn’t discover his shot in his third sport with the Los Angeles Lakers, and LeBron James couldn’t make up for it.
But the Lakers all say they aren’t apprehensive after their embarrassing 100-97 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night time.
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Doncic scored 14 factors on 5-of-18 taking pictures, together with a 1-for-9 efficiency on 3-point makes an attempt. The Slovenian celebrity added 11 rebounds and eight assists, but additionally dedicated six turnovers and 5 private fouls whereas enjoying 33 minutes in his longest efficiency since becoming a member of the Lakers in a blockbuster commerce with Dallas.
READ: NBA: Luka Doncic energizes LeBron James as homestretch begins
“Clearly, it’s going to take a while,” Doncic stated. “At present, a number of rustiness from my half. Began the sport with like 4 or 5 turnovers. That may’t occur. Simply received to play basketball the suitable method.”
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The night was clearly irritating to Doncic, who was enjoying solely his third NBA sport following a 6 1/2-week absence as a result of a calf pressure incurred on Christmas. On a few events when this usually electrifying scorer managed to make a shot in opposition to the Hornets, Doncic reacted with a visual mixture of aid and frustration.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) drives the ball whereas pursued by Charlotte Hornets guard Elfrid Payton (22) in the course of the second half of an NBA basketball sport Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/William Liang)
Doncic is 16 for 45 from the sector in his three video games with the Lakers, however simply 5 for twenty-four on 3-point makes an attempt — together with 2 for 16 in his two house video games, the place followers have buzzed with anticipation of every shot after which groaned at every clank.
Again-to-back losses to cellar-dwelling Utah and Charlotte are grim outcomes for a group that had gained 10 of 11, however the 40-year-old James additionally isn’t involved about Doncic’s begin in purple and gold.
READ: NBA: Luka Doncic rapidly connects with LeBron James in Lakers debut
“It’s his third sport since Christmas, and it’s his third sport with us,” James stated. “He nonetheless doesn’t know all of the performs. He doesn’t know all of the defensive coverages, all of the alerts and issues that we’ve constructed up since September. Clearly, we’re attempting to fast-track it on the fly. He’s getting back from his damage. He’s getting again into type, so we’re working by it collectively.”
Not every thing was grim about Doncic’s efficiency in opposition to Charlotte, his first through which he didn’t have a minutes restriction since his damage return. He led Los Angeles in rebounds, and his plus-13 ranking was the Lakers’ greatest quantity regardless of his turnovers.
“He’s received to be comfy being himself, as a result of he’s among the finest gamers on the planet,” stated Austin Reaves, whose third-quarter ejection was swiftly adopted by the Hornets’ 22-1 run. “We’d like him to be him, and it’s simply going to take a few video games, a few weeks to determine what that greatest seems to be like. However we will determine it out pretty rapidly.”
With the sport on the road within the closing seconds, Doncic was the one inbounding the ball to James, who then missed two 3-point makes an attempt within the closing six seconds. Doncic had no drawback with not being within the late-game highlight.
READ: NBA: Luka Doncic hungry to win titles with Lakers
“He had it going, so clearly we’re going to go to him,” Doncic stated. “I believe it’ll go each methods. One time it’s going to be him, and one time me. I believe it is determined by how the sport goes.”
The Lakers acquired Doncic from the Mavs on Feb. 2 in a seismic commerce that despatched Anthony Davis to Dallas.
Doncic performed in each of the Lakers’ closing two video games earlier than the All-Star break, however he logged solely 47 complete minutes whereas the Lakers eased him again into competitors. Doncic then received a number of days of restoration and reset whereas the remainder of the NBA’s prime gamers convened in San Francisco for the All-Star Sport.
“Truthfully, I used to be getting my thoughts off basketball a bit of bit,” Doncic stated. “I’m simply excited to come back again and play. I missed a number of time. I’ve by no means missed this a lot time, so it was one thing new to me. Now I’m simply excited to get again to play.”
Doncic gained’t have time to dwell on this gradual begin: The Lakers jumped on a airplane to Portland after their loss, they usually’ll face the Path Blazers on Thursday earlier than visiting Denver on Saturday.
And the Lakers’ subsequent house sport? It’s in opposition to the Mavericks on Tuesday.
With the shock of the midseason commerce fading extra every day, Doncic is keen to look to the longer term.
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“This is likely one of the biggest golf equipment on the planet, and I’m simply pleased to be right here,” Doncic stated. “Clearly, I’m going to want a while, however I’m pleased to characterize the Lakers.”