Los Angeles Lakers newly-acquired star Luka Dončić is ready to make his debut in purple and gold on Saturday, Feb. 8 on ESPN, ESPN+ and Disney+.
The 25-year-old Slovenian scorer hasn’t performed since Christmas, and his absence has been lengthy sufficient to preclude him from qualifying for the All-NBA staff, which he has made up to now 5 consecutive seasons.
Dončić averaged 28.1 factors, 8.3 rebounds and seven.8 assists earlier than getting traded to the Lakers Saturday for a package deal that included star large man Anthony Davis.
Dončić participated in his first follow with the Lakers since becoming a member of the staff in a surprising commerce with Dallas final weekend.
Los Angeles Lakers’ Luka Doncic speaks throughout an introductory NBA basketball press convention Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in El Segundo, Calif.
AP Picture/Jae C. Hong
Dončić stated he has been making an attempt to deal with this harm severely after he routinely performed via minor previous accidents, typically to his detriment.
“For the primary time, I took my time [to] get it to heal 100%,” Doncic stated of his return. “Different occasions, I feel I simply needed to return to the court docket enjoying basketball, and I actually [wouldn’t] be wholesome 100%. This time I simply took my time, which was the traditional period of time to get again to 100%.”
What is going to the Lakers seem like with Luka?
Their new celebrity is sort of sure to begin alongside versatile Austin Reaves within the backcourt. He would take the spot not too long ago held by Max Christie, the younger 3-and-D wing traded alongside Davis to the Mavericks.
Christie moved into the Lakers’ beginning lineup on Dec. 8. Los Angeles hasn’t made intensive use of a standard level guard since buying and selling D’Angelo Russell on Dec. 29, though veteran Gabe Vincent is often within the rotation.
Left to proper: LA Lakers GM Rob Pelinka, Luka Doncic, and head coach JJ Redick pose for pictures throughout an introductory NBA press convention on Feb. 4, 2025, in El Segundo, Calif.
AP Picture/Jae C. Hong
40-year-old Lebron James and Reaves provoke a lot of the Lakers’ offense, however Dončić clearly could have the ball in his arms consistently.
The obvious place to place James and Dončić collectively is in pick-and-roll units. Lakers Coach JJ Redick, who performed alongside Dončić in Dallas, is undoubtedly salivating on the prospect of scheming performs for these two supreme playmakers and artistic scorers.
As for the Lakers’ protection? With out Davis defending the rim, they will take an unlimited step backward. It is not powerful to think about James and Dončić merely making an attempt to outscore most groups – and this duo will usually have the expertise to do it.
Disney is the guardian firm of this ABC station.
ESPN and The Related Press contributed to this report.
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