Los Angeles Lakers’ Luka Dončić Reacts To His Stellar Preseason Debut: ‘That Was Probably Better Than I Expected’

NBA superstar Luka Dončić of the Los Angeles Lakers made his preseason debut on Tuesday against the Phoenix Suns and the five-time All-Star reminded everyone why he’s one of the best basketball players in the world.

In just 22 minutes of action, Dončić — who lost weight this offseason and got into elite shape — put up 25 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

“I felt great,” Dončić said. “That was probably better than I expected. Those first games are kind of rusty, but I was just very happy to be out there again. … Just getting out there and playing basketball for me is amazing. I missed it. I think you can see that. … I’m just happy to be on the basketball court again.”

Dončić played in 28 games with the Lakers last season after the Dallas Mavericks traded him in February. The talented point-forward averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.4 blocks with the Purple and Gold.

A future Hall of Famer, Dončić enters this season third in NBA history in points per game. He has career averages of 28.2 points with the Mavericks and Lakers.

“He has an ability to do what I would call it, like, silly stuff, but still be locked in. It’s important to him that basketball is fun,” Lakers head coach JJ Redick said. “He’s at play. And that’s part of what makes him great.”

Dončić will have to carry the Lakers offensively to begin the season since NBA legend LeBron James is out with sciatic nerve irritation on his right side. It’s unknown when James, 40, will make his season debut.

Dončić and James played 23 games together last season. The Lakers went 15–8 in those games but lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs in five games.

Dončić averaged 27.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.4 blocks alongside James, who averaged 23.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.6 blocks next to Dončić.