A club that has produced some of the game’s most well-known players will mark the debut of its next star, Luka Doncic, who will play for the Los Angeles Lakers against the visiting Utah Jazz on Monday.
On February 2, the Lakers officially acquired Doncic in exchange for Anthony Davis, sending Max Christie to Dallas and bringing Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to Los Angeles. The trade was surprising and has since received harsh criticism.
Doncic’s Los Angeles debut has been delayed due to a calf injury, but he is now slated to play for the first time since Christmas Day. Doncic and LeBron James will now form a dynamic combo for a squad that has won five straight games and eleven of its last thirteen.
“It’s just like a dream come true,” the 25-year-old Doncic said of playing with James, a four-time MVP. “I’ve always looked up to him. There’s so much I can learn from him, and I’m thrilled to learn everything and play with him. It’s an incredible feeling.
The Lakers defeated the Indiana Pacers 124-117 at home on Saturday, with Austin Reaves scoring a career-high 45 points, Rui Hachimura adding 24 points, and Jaxson Hayes grabbing 12 rebounds.
James was unable to participate due to left ankle pain, and Reaves nearly missed the game due to a strained left elbow before deciding to play shortly before tipoff.
“I woke up (Saturday) morning, it was sore all over, elbow especially,” Reaves recalls. “My trainer… looked at me and asked, ‘Well, out or in?’ And I said, ‘Let’s do it.’ So it’s tough. But, like I mentioned, once you get out there and start playing, the adrenaline kicks in and you feel great.”
The Jazz will play their second game in the Los Angeles region in three days, following their 130-110 loss to the Clippers on Saturday. Jordan Clarkson led Utah with 24 points, followed by Keyonte George with 21.
The Jazz got out to a quick start, leading by 12 points in the first quarter. Clarkson was 4 for 6 from 3-point range in the first period. However, Utah ran out of gas on the second night of a back-to-back, following an overtime loss to the Phoenix Suns on Friday.
Utah is 2-11 since January 15 and has an eight-game road losing streak.
Five Jazz players scored in double digits on Saturday, including Johnny Juzang, who finished with 19 points, three short of his season high.
The Jazz got out to a quick start, leading by 12 points in the first quarter. Clarkson was 4 for 6 from 3-point range in the first period. However, Utah ran out of gas on the second night of a back-to-back, following an overtime loss to the Phoenix Suns on Friday.
Utah is 2-11 since January 15 and has an eight-game road losing streak.
Five Jazz players scored in double digits on Saturday, including Johnny Juzang, who finished with 19 points, three short of his season high.
The Jazz got out to a quick start, leading by 12 points in the first quarter. Clarkson was 4 for 6 from 3-point range in the first period. However, Utah ran out of gas on the second night of a back-to-back, following an overtime loss to the Phoenix Suns on Friday.
Utah is 2-11 since January 15 and has an eight-game road losing streak.
Five Jazz players scored in double digits on Saturday, including Johnny Juzang, who finished with 19 points, three short of his season high.
“We want to play in a style where everyone’s involved in the game because I think that’s what’s gonna drive the energy of the group every day,” Will Hardy, Utah’s head coach, said. “Everyone thinks everyone wants to shoot, which is partially correct, but the truth is that everyone wants to touch the ball. Every day, we attempt to underscore the importance of everyone being involved.”
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