The Los Angeles Lakers made a blockbuster move before the trade deadline, acquiring Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks in hopes of boosting their championship aspirations. However, the team has struggled to find its rhythm since his arrival, with the latest setback being a disappointing 100-97 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night.
Doncic has yet to reach his usual elite level with the Purple and Gold. Through three games, he is averaging just 14.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists—a significant drop-off for the reigning NBA scoring champion. His shooting efficiency has also been uncharacteristically poor, hitting just 35.6% from the field and 20.8% from three-point range (via StatMuse).
Despite Doncic’s early struggles, Lakers superstar LeBron James has come to his defense, emphasizing the adjustment period required for a player of his caliber.
“It’s his third game since Christmas, and it’s his third game with us,” James told reporters after the game. “He still doesn’t know all the plays, all the defensive coverages, and all the signals we’ve built since September. Obviously, we’re trying to fast-track it on the fly.”
James took and missed the final two shots for LA on Wednesday, both of which were three-point attempts to tie. When asked after the game about taking these shots over Doncic, James kept it simple.
“You run the set JJ draws up,” James said (via FreeDawkins on YouTube). “We executed, we just didn’t make it.”
Doncic, who has a career average of 28.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists, missed significant time in the first half of the season after suffering a calf injury on Christmas Day, and has been evidently rusty in his performances. However, with the Lakers pushing for playoff positioning, they’ll need their new star to settle in quickly.
The five-time All-Star will have another chance to break out of his slump when the Lakers take on Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets on Feb. 22.
