Doncic gets Lakers dreaming in Los Angeles debut

After starring in the NBA trade of the century, Luka Doncic experienced his long-awaited debut with the Los Angeles Lakers Monday night in a comfortable 132-113 win over the Utah Jazz, in which he was cheered by his new fans.

The stands of Crypto.com Arena welcomed the Slovenian as their new star and were thrilled with the first glimpses of the duo with LeBron James, from whom he should take over as the icon of the glamorous Los Angeles franchise.

Wearing a Lakers uniform feels "special," Doncic summed up. "The way they helped me, teammates, Rob, Jeanie [Buss], it was just a lot of support for me."

Before the game "they told me to be myself," recounted the point guard, who hadn't played since Dec. 25 because of a calf injury.

Doncic scored 14 points, grabbed 5 rebounds and dished out 4 assists, showing that he is still not at his best physical level.

To avoid greater risks, the former Dallas Mavericks leader played only 24 minutes on the court and rested the entire last quarter against a Jazz that presented no resistance to defeat.

At 40 years old, LeBron carried the offensive load for the Lakers with 24 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists.

The NBA had been waiting for this debut since the Feb. 1 news of the trade of Doncic, one of the NBA's most promising stars of present and for the future, in a decision by the Mavericks that outraged their own fans.

The Lakers had warmed up the atmosphere since the morning by posting photos of a tide of T-shirts with the Slovenian's number 77 waiting for spectators on their seats.

"King James" himself donned one of those golden T-shirts for the warmup and allowed Doncic to be introduced at the last spot in the starting five, the place usually reserved for the team's star.

"I heard a lot of noise when I was introduced and I really appreciated it. It was a special moment," Doncic said.