12 Luka Dončić photos from his highly anticipated Lakers debut
meghan l. hall
·1-min read
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 10: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after committing his third foul during the third quarter of a game against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena on February 10, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Luka Dončić is back, basketball fans.
It's been a whirlwind since the big man was traded in the middle of the night. (Remember that?) It feels like a lifetime since then, but it was barely a week and a half ago. That's how much everyone has seemingly aged―including Luka―trying to wrap their minds around it.
Despite the Dallas Mavs' explanation, it's still very bizarre, and the calls to fire Nico Harrison might not stop anytime soon. Nevertheless, Luka's a Laker now and in his highly anticipated debut with the team, he nailed a stepback 3-pointer for his first points in purple and gold.
Let's take a look at 12 photos from Luka's big night:
1.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 10: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up prior to a game against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena on February 10, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
2.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 10: Shirts celebrating Luka Doncic's debut with the Los Angeles Lakers are seen on seats for fans before a game against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena on February 10, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
3.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 10: LeBron James #23 and Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on as John Collins #20 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket during the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena on February 10, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
4.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 10: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a three point basket, his first points as a Laker, during the first quarter against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena on February 10, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
5.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 10: Luka Doncic #77 and Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers react during the first quarter against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena on February 10, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
6.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 10: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball during the second quarter against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena on February 10, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
7.
8.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 10: LeBron James #23 and Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers react during the second quarter of a game against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena on February 10, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
9.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 10: Isaiah Collier #13 of the Utah Jazz fouls Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the third quarter at Crypto.com Arena on February 10, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
10.
Feb 10, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) is defended by Utah Jazz guard Johnny Juzang (33) in the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
11.
Feb 10, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) is defended by Utah Jazz guard Johnny Juzang (33) in the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
12.
Feb 10, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) looks to make a long pass down court in the first half against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Let’s rate the plausible theories as to why Dallas decided to trade a 25-year-old superstar months after leading the team to its first Finals in over a decade.
At Tuesday's intro news conference, it was clear Dončić was still coming to terms with not being a Maverick: 'I had to check [if] it was April 1. I couldn’t believe it.'
