Luka Dončić’s first game as a Laker on Monday, one of the most highly anticipated debuts in NBA history, delivered in the ratings. The Jazz-Lakers game delivered 2.01 million viewers on ESPN despite the 10:30 p.m. ET start and a blowout finish. Dončić played just 24 minutes and missed the entire fourth quarter as the Lakers led by as much as 34 points. The game peaked at 2.55 million viewers during the 11:15 p.m. quarter-hour, which was around the second quarter.
Source: Front Office Sports
Source: Front Office Sports
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
StatMuse @statmuse
Keyonte George tonight:
20 PTS
7 REB
10 AST
Had more points, rebounds and assists than Luka. pic.x.com/ApfgcjVdtc – 11:22 PM
Keyonte George tonight:
20 PTS
7 REB
10 AST
Had more points, rebounds and assists than Luka. pic.x.com/ApfgcjVdtc – 11:22 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
LeBroncic tonight:
Luka — 16 PTS | 4 REB | 4 AST
Bron — 18 PTS | 6 REB | 7 AST
Not enough to beat the Jazz. pic.x.com/YD55e1tz1O – 11:16 PM
LeBroncic tonight:
Luka — 16 PTS | 4 REB | 4 AST
Bron — 18 PTS | 6 REB | 7 AST
Not enough to beat the Jazz. pic.x.com/YD55e1tz1O – 11:16 PM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
The absences of DFS, Vincent, and (save seven minutes) Hayes become even more pronounced with Luka and Vando on minutes restrictions. The continual options for quality floor combinations dwindle, and guys further down the bench like Goodwin become less effective. AK – 11:07 PM
The absences of DFS, Vincent, and (save seven minutes) Hayes become even more pronounced with Luka and Vando on minutes restrictions. The continual options for quality floor combinations dwindle, and guys further down the bench like Goodwin become less effective. AK – 11:07 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Amen Thompson tonight:
18 PTS
10 REB
11 AST
2 STL
2 BLK
The first player since Mavs-Luka to reach those numbers in a game. pic.x.com/f9RFHDW8F5 – 10:49 PM
Amen Thompson tonight:
18 PTS
10 REB
11 AST
2 STL
2 BLK
The first player since Mavs-Luka to reach those numbers in a game. pic.x.com/f9RFHDW8F5 – 10:49 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Back-to-back beautiful passes from Doncic found LeBron, and then Reaves, for consecutive 3’s.
Lakers are within 5 early in the 3rd Q. – 10:29 PM
Back-to-back beautiful passes from Doncic found LeBron, and then Reaves, for consecutive 3’s.
Lakers are within 5 early in the 3rd Q. – 10:29 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Doncic missed his first 3 shots before converting a layup, and then a triple to reach 5 points with a pair of assists before checking out for the first time with LA leading 19-17 early in Salt Lake City. – 9:24 PM
Doncic missed his first 3 shots before converting a layup, and then a triple to reach 5 points with a pair of assists before checking out for the first time with LA leading 19-17 early in Salt Lake City. – 9:24 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
One note JJ Redick mentioned about Alex Len’s arrival is his experience as a screener, and specifically how that could look if teams choose to red (switch) the pick and rolls with Doncic, where Len is an excellent offensive rebounder. – 7:43 PM
One note JJ Redick mentioned about Alex Len’s arrival is his experience as a screener, and specifically how that could look if teams choose to red (switch) the pick and rolls with Doncic, where Len is an excellent offensive rebounder. – 7:43 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Redick said that LeBron and Reaves are both available to play (Doncic was upgraded to probable earlier).
Expect them to start alongside Hayes and Hachimura, with Vanderbilt, Knecht, Len, Goodwin and Milton playing off the bench.
Finney-Smith and Vincent are out. – 7:38 PM
Redick said that LeBron and Reaves are both available to play (Doncic was upgraded to probable earlier).
Expect them to start alongside Hayes and Hachimura, with Vanderbilt, Knecht, Len, Goodwin and Milton playing off the bench.
Finney-Smith and Vincent are out. – 7:38 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
JJ Redick says LeBron James and Austin Reaves are both available tonight. He says Luka Doncic remains probable. – 7:37 PM
JJ Redick says LeBron James and Austin Reaves are both available tonight. He says Luka Doncic remains probable. – 7:37 PM
Khobi Price @khobi_price
JJ Redick says Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Austin Reaves and Bronny James are available tonight at Utah. – 7:35 PM
JJ Redick says Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Austin Reaves and Bronny James are available tonight at Utah. – 7:35 PM
Peter Vecsey @PeterVecsey1
Ayton is latest NBA player to suffer a calf injury. Sidelined a minim of a month. Luka has experienced four such injuries. Next to a torn Achilles, it’s the most difficult to conquer. Trainers and doctors need to figure out the reason 4 the plaque… – 7:34 PM
Ayton is latest NBA player to suffer a calf injury. Sidelined a minim of a month. Luka has experienced four such injuries. Next to a torn Achilles, it’s the most difficult to conquer. Trainers and doctors need to figure out the reason 4 the plaque… – 7:34 PM
Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
The Lakers say Luka Dončić (left calf strain) has been upgraded to probable for tonight’s game at Utah.
More NBA from me: tinyurl.com/yrmzrx83 – 2:53 PM
The Lakers say Luka Dončić (left calf strain) has been upgraded to probable for tonight’s game at Utah.
More NBA from me: tinyurl.com/yrmzrx83 – 2:53 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
The Lakers say Luka Dončić (left calf strain) has been upgraded to probable for tonight’s game at Utah. – 2:34 PM
The Lakers say Luka Dončić (left calf strain) has been upgraded to probable for tonight’s game at Utah. – 2:34 PM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
“What I saw was a still shell-shocked Luka [during the Lakers introductory press conference.]”
Brad Townsend on Luka Dončić’s stunning move to Los Angeles.
@townbrad | @TheFrankIsola | @Scalabrine pic.x.com/Uwmj65mtwp – 1:56 PM
“What I saw was a still shell-shocked Luka [during the Lakers introductory press conference.]”
Brad Townsend on Luka Dončić’s stunning move to Los Angeles.
@townbrad | @TheFrankIsola | @Scalabrine pic.x.com/Uwmj65mtwp – 1:56 PM
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
😳 The Mavericks attempted to trade Luka Doncic to the Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo & to Minnesota for Anthony Edwards before trading him to the Lakers!
🤯 What if…
( Via GeryWoelfel ) pic.x.com/5rLgqKAvbD – 8:28 AM
😳 The Mavericks attempted to trade Luka Doncic to the Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo & to Minnesota for Anthony Edwards before trading him to the Lakers!
🤯 What if…
( Via GeryWoelfel ) pic.x.com/5rLgqKAvbD – 8:28 AM
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
😎🇪🇸 Luka Doncic definitely enjoyed Real Madrid´s comeback win over Manchester City in the Champions League last night. pic.x.com/fR0YHcUjTT – 5:42 AM
😎🇪🇸 Luka Doncic definitely enjoyed Real Madrid´s comeback win over Manchester City in the Champions League last night. pic.x.com/fR0YHcUjTT – 5:42 AM
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
🤣 JJ Redick was so excited to see Luka on the bench for the first time that he had to tell himself to “STOP” and lock back in!
pic.x.com/cxEEcw0599 – 3:33 AM
🤣 JJ Redick was so excited to see Luka on the bench for the first time that he had to tell himself to “STOP” and lock back in!
pic.x.com/cxEEcw0599 – 3:33 AM
Khobi Price @khobi_price
Lakers’ injury report for tomorrow at Utah: Luka Doncic is listed as questionable.
LeBron James and Austin Reaves are probable.
Dorian Finney-Smith and Gabe Vincent are listed as out. pic.x.com/H9uS13hbRX – 7:12 PM
Lakers’ injury report for tomorrow at Utah: Luka Doncic is listed as questionable.
LeBron James and Austin Reaves are probable.
Dorian Finney-Smith and Gabe Vincent are listed as out. pic.x.com/H9uS13hbRX – 7:12 PM
Ethan Strauss @SherwoodStrauss
NEW POD: Spoke with @KirkSeriousFace about going viral over losing Luka houseofstrauss.com/p/hos-kirk-hen… pic.x.com/C3i2eSEGIl – 7:02 PM
NEW POD: Spoke with @KirkSeriousFace about going viral over losing Luka houseofstrauss.com/p/hos-kirk-hen… pic.x.com/C3i2eSEGIl – 7:02 PM
Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
The 25-year-old Luka Doncic, who has never won a championship, has a chance to become part of the fabric of Los Angeles in a different way than LeBron James…
foxsports.com/stories/nba/wh… – 6:33 PM
The 25-year-old Luka Doncic, who has never won a championship, has a chance to become part of the fabric of Los Angeles in a different way than LeBron James…
foxsports.com/stories/nba/wh… – 6:33 PM
Sam Vecenie @Sam_Vecenie
Enjoyed a lot of what the Lakers did yesterday on offense to incorporate Luka into the offense.
Thought the set the Lakers ran to start the 2nd half was an awesome blend of attacking exactly how a defense is guarding you then also something you can run a counter off of. pic.x.com/qVYXFWpHJb – 5:39 PM
Enjoyed a lot of what the Lakers did yesterday on offense to incorporate Luka into the offense.
Thought the set the Lakers ran to start the 2nd half was an awesome blend of attacking exactly how a defense is guarding you then also something you can run a counter off of. pic.x.com/qVYXFWpHJb – 5:39 PM
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
🇺🇦🚨 Alex Len is pairing with Luka Doncic in Los Angeles Lakers!
👀 Len intended to sign with the Pacers but has decided to land in LA after the Lakers rescinded the Mark Williams trade and created new opportunity. pic.x.com/H99BVVuFnp – 5:33 PM
🇺🇦🚨 Alex Len is pairing with Luka Doncic in Los Angeles Lakers!
👀 Len intended to sign with the Pacers but has decided to land in LA after the Lakers rescinded the Mark Williams trade and created new opportunity. pic.x.com/H99BVVuFnp – 5:33 PM
More on this storyline
Jovan Buha: The Lakers say Luka Dončić (left calf strain) has been upgraded to probable for tonight’s game at Utah. -via x.com / February 12, 2025
While Doncic is undoubtedly the future face of this franchise, it is still James’ team now, so to see Doncic get announced last was special. But that is also something the two worked out prior to the contest. Doncic spoke after the game and revealed that James texted him that morning and wanted the 25-year-old to have that moment in his debut. But the new Lakers star also made it clear that LeBron will get that last spot going forward. “Yeah, he texted me in the morning,” Doncic said after the Lakers win. “He said, whatever you want. And I said, for him to text me that, it’s just amazing. Shows what kind of person he is to let me have my moment, so I really appreciate it… Today, he left me have this one. But from now on, he’ll be the last.” -via Lakers Nation / February 12, 2025
According to NBA officials, the Mavs had interactions with at least two other teams besides the Lakers. They claimed the Mavs also had conversations with the Bucks and Timberwolves. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out which players from those teams would have piqued the Mavs’ interest. With the Bucks, it was Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP who led the Bucks to the NBA title in 2021. Antetokounmpo happens to have a strong rapport with Mavs coach Jason Kidd and his right-hand man, Sean Sweeney. -via Woelfel’s Press Box / February 12, 2025
