LOS ANGELES — Luka Dončić did not disappoint the fans in attendance at Crypto.com Arena for his debut with the Los Angeles Lakers.
He was one of seven players to score in double figures as the Lakers beat up the Utah Jazz 132-113 Monday night in Los Angeles.
Dončić was given the stamp of approval from the fan base, who cheered for the Slovenian throughout the evening. Most of the fans in attendance wore the shirt with his last name and jersey number (No. 77), which were left at their seats before the game.
After the game, Dončić reflected on the evening and called the moments before the game as his favorite part of the night. Dončić received a text message from LeBron James in the morning about the decision to have the guard introduced last in the starting lineup.
“It was special the way they received me,” Dončić said. “It was amazing to see. I was a little nervous before. I can’t remember the last time I was nervous before the game, but once I stepped out on the court it was fun being out there again. It felt amazing.”
There was a sense of a new beginning for the Lakers, with fans cheering for Dončić every time he touched the ball and even chanting his name while he was sitting on the bench. The guard brought the crowd to their feet on several occasions with his playmaking ability.
