Luka Doncic claims standout showing will drive his rise with Lakers

When the Los Angeles Lakers acquired Luka Doncic in a blockbuster trade that sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks, expectations soared for the Slovenian superstar. Yet, his transition to Los Angeles has been anything but smooth.

The Lakers stumbled to a 1-2 record in Doncic’s first three games, suffering losses to the struggling Utah Jazz and Charlotte Hornets. Defensively, he became a frequent target in crunch time, particularly against Charlotte, fueling early criticism. 

Offensively, his production lagged as well — averaging just 14.6 points on 36.5 percent shooting while connecting on only five of his 24 three-point attempts. Then, in his fourth game, everything changed.

Against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets, Doncic delivered a statement performance, leading the Lakers to a commanding 123-100 road victory with 32 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. He shot 10-of-22 from the field and drained four three-pointers, while also contributing four steals and a block.

His chemistry with LeBron James was evident, with the 40-year-old frequently on the receiving end of his new teammate's pinpoint outlet passes, a combination that dominated the highlight reels.

Postgame, Doncic acknowledged that he was still adjusting but felt increasingly comfortable in his new role.

"This is my fourth game. Chemistry takes time. You saw today that it’s getting better. Every day, it’s getting better… Hard, different, but I’m happy to be playing basketball," Doncic said, via NBA.com. "Every day is going to get better for me. I’m happy to be here. I’m happy for the new journey."

For the Lakers, the road to title contention has been blocked by the Nuggets in recent years, with Denver eliminating them in back-to-back postseasons while winning eight of nine games. But with Doncic now leading the charge, Los Angeles sent a strong early message with a convincing victory.

The 25-year-old's slow start wasn’t entirely unexpected. This was the first trade of his career — one that caught him off guard — and his emotions were evident during his introductory news conference alongside Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka. Adjusting to a new city, a new system and the relentless spotlight that comes with wearing the Purple and Gold takes time.

But as Doncic himself said, chemistry is a process. With each passing game, he looks more at home in a Lakers uniform — and if this latest performance is any indication, it may not be long before he fully takes the reins of his new team.