Luka Doncic reacts to Lakers debut

Luka Doncic's long-awaited Lakers debut finally arrived on Monday night in Los Angeles. Since the blockbuster trade that sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for the Slovenian superstar, anticipation had been building for Doncic's first appearance in the purple and gold. Against the Utah Jazz, the five-time All-Star took the floor at Crypto.com Arena, ushering in a new era for the Lakers.  

Starting alongside new backcourt partner Austin Reaves, Doncic endured a challenging shooting night, hitting just 5-of-14 from the field and 1-of-7 from beyond the arc. However, he still managed to contribute across the board, finishing with 14 points, five rebounds and four assists in a commanding 132-113 victory.  

Despite the shooting struggles, the 25-year-old's presence was the story of the night. The crowd greeted him with thunderous applause, and after the game, he reflected on the moment.  

“Special, man. The way they received me, everybody—teammates, front office, everybody here. I heard a lot of noise when I was introduced, so I really appreciate it. It was a special moment,” he told ESPN.