Luka Dončić made a striking entrance into the Lakers’ roster, contributing 14 points in limited action during his first game on Monday night. He joined the starting lineup alongside LeBron James and played a key role in the team’s 132-113 triumph over the Utah Jazz.

The crowd at the Staples Center welcomed Dončić with multiple standing ovations, many donning gold T-shirts emblazoned with his name and number 77. He netted 11 points as the Lakers built a commanding 25-point lead by halftime, and he exited the game with 3:07 left in the third quarter, with the Lakers comfortably in control during their sixth consecutive win.

Dončić’s first point came from a three-pointer in the early moments on just his second attempt with the Lakers. He wrapped up his debut with five rebounds and four assists, highlighted by a stunning three-quarter-court pass to James for a layup just before halftime.

This game marked Dončić’s return after nearly seven weeks sidelined due to a left calf strain suffered while playing for the Mavericks, who made headlines by trading their 25-year-old star and former NBA scoring leader. The Lakers secured his services in exchange for Anthony Davis and Max Christie.

After a week of acclimatizing and regaining his strength, Dončić joined James, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Jaxson Hayes as the Lakers’ starters, who had won 11 of their last 13 games even before acquiring the five-time All-NBA selection.

Playing only 23 minutes, the Lakers took a cautious approach to Dončić’s comeback post-injury. Admittedly still finding his rhythm, he struggled with his shooting, going 1 for 7 from beyond the arc, yet his exceptional playmaking quickly integrated with his newfound teammates.

Coach JJ Redick, who shared a brief playing stint with Dončić in 2021 on the Mavericks, was keenly interested in how the Slovenian superstar would perform in his highly publicized debut. “The excitement level is off the charts,” Redick stated. “Our game plan against Utah remains unchanged. Integrating new players during the season is always a challenge, and patience is key.”

Dončić’s debut was impressive: he started with an alley-oop assist to Hayes, followed by a three-pointer shortly thereafter, drawing cheers from fans chanting “Luka! Luka!” during stoppages in play.

Among the spectators was Dirk Nowitzki, who mentored Dončić during their shared time in Dallas, highlighting the latter’s role as the natural successor to the Hall of Famer’s legacy in the franchise—before the Mavericks’ management chose a different path.

Dončić’s first stint lasted just under seven minutes before he left the court alongside James, a likely decision based on his minute restriction while regaining full fitness. Once he is back at peak condition, the Lakers plan to have one of their stars on the floor at all times.

“I believe the best course of action right now is to gradually reintegrate Luka into the fast-paced NBA,” said Redick. “If it were up to him, he would likely play the entire game, but we are prioritizing long-term health.”

Dončić returned to action with around eight minutes left in the first half, contributing to the Lakers’ significant lead with several impactful plays.

To commemorate his debut, every attendee at the Lakers’ home game received a Dončić T-shirt, including James, who donned a gold No. 77 shirt for his pregame warm-ups.

As he prepared for the game, dozens of cameras followed Dončić during his warm-up, accompanied by the Serbian music he enjoys. The Lakers introduced him last, a position usually reserved for James, prompting another enthusiastic ovation.

James, who had missed the previous game due to an injury, made his return as the Lakers commenced a home-and-home series against the Jazz before the All-Star break.

“I doubt anyone can predict exactly how it will unfold,” said Utah coach Will Hardy. “But I expect it to be impressive. [Dončić and James] are two of the most astute players we’ve seen. Preparing to face them is certainly unique, but there’s no scenario where their collaboration isn’t beneficial. Their cognitive ability on the court is remarkable, and I’m confident they’ll adjust accordingly.”

Since making the move to Los Angeles, Dončić had been spectating from the bench as the Lakers secured three straight victories. Notably, Reaves scored an impressive 45 points in the Lakers’ 124-117 win against Indiana on Saturday, with both Dončić and James resting an injured ankle.

To kick off his Lakers journey, Dončić generously donated $500,000 to support fire recovery initiatives in his new community, making a strong impression as he pledged to assist with rebuilding efforts following the devastating wildfires that ravaged parts of Southern California last month, including areas like Pacific Palisades, where Redick lost his home.

“It’s heartbreaking to learn about the wildfire destruction as I arrived in LA,” Dončić expressed on his Luka Dončić Foundation’s social media channels. “I empathize with the children who have lost their homes, schools, and playgrounds. My foundation is donating $500,000 to immediate recovery efforts, and I commit to helping rebuild courts, playgrounds, and fields destroyed in the fires. Every child deserves a safe place to play.”

“To all those affected by these fires, we are here to help—both now and in the future.” Dončić signed off his message as “Your new neighbor.”

This initial donation will go to the Community Foundation Wildfire Recovery Fund, with Dončić also planning to allocate “substantial additional funding over the next two years” aimed at restoring children’s recreational spaces, as confirmed by a spokesperson.