Luka Doncic made a solid debut for the Los Angeles Lakers, contributing 14 points, five rebounds, and four assists as the surging Lakers dominated the Utah Jazz 132-113 on Monday night. LeBron James led the charge with 24 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds, while Austin Reaves added 22 points in a balanced effort that secured Los Angeles its sixth consecutive win and 12th in 14 games.
Playing his first game since a calf strain sidelined him on Christmas, Doncic showcased flashes of brilliance in his 24-minute outing. The Lakers’ new superstar orchestrated the offense with precision, including an early alley-oop assist to Jaxson Hayes and a stunning three-quarter court pass to James for a layup before halftime.
Despite a modest shooting performance—5-of-14 from the field and just 1-of-7 from beyond the arc—Doncic’s presence energized the Lakers, who had seven players in double figures and shot an impressive 54.3% from the field.
With Doncic easing back into action, the Lakers built a commanding lead, going up by as many as 34 points. The sold-out crowd at Crypto.com Arena included stars like Adele, Will Ferrell, and Dirk Nowitzki, adding to the spectacle of the highly anticipated debut.
For the struggling Jazz, Lauri Markkanen and John Collins each scored 17 points, but Utah couldn’t overcome its road woes, extending its losing streak away from home to nine games. Meanwhile, the Lakers continue to look like a team on the rise, bolstered by the addition of Doncic and a deep, cohesive roster. Let’s provide a grade for every Lakers player for his performance on Monday night.
LeBron James: B+
Stats: 24 PTS, 7 REB (1 OREB, 6 DREB), 8 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 7 TO, 2 PF, 10-17 FG, 3-7 3PT, 1-2 FT, +24, 29 MIN
LeBron James was brilliant at times, leading the Lakers with 24 points while adding seven rebounds and eight assists. Despite committing seven turnovers, James’ efficient shooting (10-for-17 FG, 3-for-7 3PT) and court vision helped set the tone for the Lakers’ offense. His commanding presence on both ends of the court was evident in his +24 plus/minus, as he orchestrated fast breaks and kept the Jazz defense on its heels.
Austin Reaves: B+
Stats: 22 PTS, 9 REB (3 OREB, 6 DREB), 4 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 1 PF, 6-10 FG, 3-5 3PT, 7-7 FT, +27, 32 MIN
Reaves played a near-flawless game, pouring in 22 points while pulling down nine rebounds and dishing four assists. His ability to get to the line and knock down all seven free throws underscored his effectiveness. Reaves’ steady shooting from deep (3-for-5 3PT) and his +27 plus/minus reflected his ability to thrive in both transition and half-court sets, making him a vital cog in the Lakers’ performance.
Rui Hachimura: B+
Stats: 21 PTS, 6 REB (2 OREB, 4 DREB), 0 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 4 PF, 8-14 FG, 3-6 3PT, 2-2 FT, +16, 29 MIN
Rui Hachimura shined as a versatile scorer, finishing with 21 points on an efficient 8-for-14 shooting performance. His ability to stretch the floor with three made triples and crash the glass for six rebounds added another dimension to the Lakers’ attack. While his four fouls limited his defensive aggressiveness, Hachimura’s +16 plus/minus showed he was a key contributor to the Lakers’ dominant night.
Jordan Goodwin: B+
Stats: 17 PTS, 8 REB (3 OREB, 5 DREB), 1 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 1 PF, 8-11 FG, 1-2 3PT, 0-0 FT, +17, 22 MIN
Goodwin was a revelation off the bench, scoring 17 points in just 22 minutes. His shooting (8-for-11 FG) was sharp, and he showcased his grit with eight rebounds, including three on the offensive glass. Though he only recorded one assist, Goodwin’s energy and hustle, reflected in his +17 plus/minus, gave the Lakers a spark in their second unit.
Luka Doncic: C+
Stats: 14 PTS, 5 REB (1 OREB, 4 DREB), 4 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 3 PF, 5-14 FG, 1-7 3PT, 3-3 FT, +15, 24 MIN
In his Lakers debut, Doncic flashed his potential as a playmaker, finishing with 14 points, five rebounds, and four assists. While his shooting touch (5-for-14 FG, 1-for-7 3PT) wasn’t there yet, his court vision stood out with a couple of jaw-dropping passes that energized the crowd. Doncic was clearly shaking off rust after a long layoff, but his +15 plus/minus indicated his presence alone elevated the team’s overall play.
Gabe Vincent: C+
Stats: 11 PTS, 0 REB, 4 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 1 PF, 4-9 FG, 3-8 3PT, 0-0 FT, +17, 18 MIN
Vincent provided steady play in limited minutes, contributing 11 points and four assists. His three-made triples came at timely moments, helping the Lakers maintain their momentum. While he didn’t make a significant impact on the boards or defensively, his +17 plus/minus highlighted his efficiency and ability to contribute in a complementary role.
Jaxson Hayes: C+
Stats: 12 PTS, 2 REB (0 OREB, 2 DREB), 2 AST, 3 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 3 PF, 6-6 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, +12, 23 MIN
Hayes had a perfect shooting night, going 6-for-6 from the field for 12 points. His three steals and one block demonstrated his defensive activity, and his alley-oop dunks energized the crowd. Though he didn’t contribute much on the boards (just two rebounds), Hayes made the most of his 23 minutes with his athleticism and hustle.
Dorian Finney-Smith: C
Stats: 4 PTS, 4 REB (0 OREB, 4 DREB), 1 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 2 PF, 1-4 FG, 0-3 3PT, 2-2 FT, +13, 26 MIN
Finney-Smith had a quiet outing offensively, finishing with just four points on 1-for-4 shooting. However, he played his role well defensively, recording two steals and helping limit the Jazz’s opportunities on the perimeter. While his +13 plus/minus suggests his presence contributed to the team’s success, Finney-Smith will need to find ways to be more involved offensively in future games.
Jarred Vanderbilt: C
Stats: 0 PTS, 2 REB (0 OREB, 2 DREB), 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 1 PF, 0-3 FG, 0-1 3PT, 0-0 FT, +4, 17 MIN
Vanderbilt struggled to find his footing offensively, missing all three of his shot attempts and going scoreless in 17 minutes. Despite his offensive struggles, he contributed with two rebounds and one assist while maintaining defensive energy.
Markieff Morris: N/A
Stats: 3 PTS, 0 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 1 PF, 1-1 FG, 1-1 3PT, 0-0 FT, -8, 6 MIN
Morris made the most of his limited minutes, scoring three points on a single three-pointer and dishing out two assists in just six minutes. While his -8 plus/minus suggests he was on the court during a rough stretch, Morris showed flashes of his veteran savvy during his brief stint.
Trey Jemison III: N/A
Stats: 2 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 3 PF, 1-1 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, -11, 7 MIN
Jemison’s seven minutes were uneventful, though he did score two points on his only shot attempt. His three fouls in such limited time highlighted defensive lapses, and his -11 plus/minus reflected the struggles the Lakers endured during his minutes.
Shake Milton: N/A
Stats: 2 PTS, 1 REB (0 OREB, 1 DREB), 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 0-2 FG, 0-2 3PT, 2-2 FT, -14, 8 MIN
Milton played eight minutes, managing just two points and one rebound. He missed both of his field goal attempts but converted his free throws. His -14 plus/minus, the worst on the team, suggested he struggled to find his rhythm or impact the game in meaningful ways during his brief appearance.
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