LOS ANGELES (AP) — Luka Doncic was the final starter introduced by the Los Angeles Lakers, a distinction that is usually reserved for LeBron James. As Doncic made his way into the spotlight on a dimly lit court, flanked by his new teammates, the crowd erupted into cheers, sporting an ocean of gold T-shirts emblazoned with his name and number.

The young superstar couldn’t help but appreciate the grandeur of the occasion.

“I felt a bit nervous beforehand,” Doncic admitted. “I can’t recall the last time I experienced pre-game jitters. But once I stepped onto the court, it was exhilarating. Just being out there felt fantastic.”

Doncic’s first game with the Lakers on Monday night was short yet impactful, generating excitement for what lies ahead in Los Angeles.

He contributed 14 points in just 23 minutes, seamlessly connecting with James and his new teammates during Los Angeles’ 132-113 victory over the Utah Jazz. In addition, Doncic recorded five rebounds and four assists, including a highlight-worthy three-quarter-court pass to James for a layup late in the first half.

After nearly seven weeks sidelined by an injury, Doncic was grateful to return to the court and welcomed this fresh chapter following the Dallas Mavericks’ surprising decision 10 days prior to trade their 25-year-old star and NBA scoring leader.

The Los Angeles crowd, adorned in countless No. 77 jerseys, showered him with applause, and his pregame introduction is a moment he will cherish for years to come.

“The level of cheering in the arena was absolutely unbelievable,” Doncic expressed. “That was definitely my favorite part — and just being able to play again.”

Doncic shared that James reached out via text earlier that morning, offering his support, and Doncic accepted by taking the final introduction slot. They plan to swap roles for the Lakers’ next home game, with Doncic smiling as he mentioned it.

“It shows what kind of person he is,” Doncic remarked. “He allowed me to have my moment.”

Doncic’s first points as a Laker came from a 3-pointer in the opening minutes, and he notched 11 points as Los Angeles raced to a 25-point lead by halftime. He exited the game for good with 3:07 remaining in the third quarter, with the Lakers well ahead, marking their sixth consecutive win.

This matchup marked Doncic’s return after straining his left calf on Christmas. After a week of settling into Los Angeles and regaining his strength, he joined James, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Jaxson Hayes as starting players for the climbing Lakers, who had already won 11 of their past 13 games before adding the five-time All-NBA choice to their roster.

Due to his previous injury, Doncic was placed on a minutes restriction. Though his conditioning isn’t at its peak yet—he went 1 for 7 from beyond the arc in his debut—his playmaking skills blended quickly with his new teammates.

The first time he touched the ball resulted in an alley-oop assist to Hayes, and shortly after, he knocked down his first 3-pointer. The crowd erupted in chants of “Luka! Luka!” during dead balls and multiple times throughout the game.

“I believe it could create something special, the way we can maneuver offensively and optimize every possession,” said Reaves, who finished with 22 points. “Luka is one of the finest passers globally…plus, with his and James’ ability to shoot and distribute, they really know how to play the game right.”

In attendance was Dirk Nowitzki, who briefly played alongside Doncic in Dallas and acted as his mentor. Doncic appeared to be set to inherit the legacy of the German Hall of Famer—until the current Mavericks general manager, Nico Harrison, changed course.

Coach JJ Redick, who shared the court with Doncic for a brief stretch in 2021 with the Mavericks, praised Doncic’s composure and patience during this significant game.

“Knowing Luka, he probably experienced a bit of nerves playing for the Lakers for the first time, especially with the excitement in the arena,” Redick noted. “I thought he managed it exceptionally well and played impressively tonight. … He focused on delivering quality basketball rather than seeking the spotlight.”

James returned from a brief injury absence as the Lakers kicked off a home-and-home matchup with the Jazz ahead of the All-Star break.

“I can’t imagine a scenario where Doncic and James playing together isn’t beneficial,” said Utah coach Will Hardy. “Their mental processing speed is remarkable, and they will undoubtedly figure it out.”

Doncic had been an observer for the Lakers’ three consecutive victories from the bench since moving to Los Angeles just a week prior. Meanwhile, Reaves scored a career-high 45 points to lead the Lakers past Indiana 124-117 on Saturday, with both Doncic and James resting for the game.

Beginning his first official day in the city, Doncic donated $500,000 to support fire recovery operations in his new community, making a significant impact with his commitment to address the devastation caused by the wildfires that impacted parts of Southern California last month, including the Pacific Palisades, where Redick’s home was lost.

“Seeing and understanding more about the wildfire damage as I landed in LA has been heartbreaking,” Doncic shared on his Luka Doncic Foundation’s social media accounts. “It’s unimaginable, and I empathize with all the children who have lost their homes, schools, and playgrounds.”

He concluded his message with, “Your new neighbor.”

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