Basketball simply bought a complete lot spicier as celebrity Luka Doncic landed in Hollywood for the primary time as a Laker.
Doncic arrived in Los Angeles late Sunday evening because the five-time All-Star prepares to show the doubting Dallas Mavericks incorrect for giving up on him in a stunning commerce over the weekend.
When precisely that revenge tour begins remains to be unknown, as the brand new Lakers star prepares for a playoff run alongside new working mate LeBron James.
Doncic, who has been out with a strained calf since Christmas Day, had beforehand been focusing on a pre-All-Star break return from harm, based on a number of studies.
With this 12 months’s break working from Feb. 14-16, Doncic has simply 5 video games to make good on that timeline, with reporter Marc Stein reporting the guard is focusing on a Saturday, Feb. 8 return towards the Pacers.
When he does return, Doncic will nonetheless put on his acquainted No. 77 jersey with the Lakers.
The maligned star has handled the identical left calf pressure twice this 12 months, based on ESPN, leaving Dallas to commerce its prized scorer in maybe essentially the most stunning commerce in NBA historical past.
Doncic has performed in simply 22 video games this season after main the Mavericks to an NBA Finals berth final season.
The Mavericks are reportedly involved about his conditioning and way of life.
Doncic will then get his likelihood to point out the Mavericks what they’re lacking on Feb. 25 when the Lakers host Dallas in a nationally televised sport positive to seize many eyeballs.
The Lakers at the moment are anticipated to be very lively as they nonetheless have one first-round decide out there to deal forward of Thursday’s NBA commerce deadline.
Assuming that the timeline is right and that Doncic returns Feb. 8, he’ll seem in three video games for the Lakers heading into the All-Star Break.
Los Angeles later performs a home-and-home set with the Utah Jazz on Feb. 10 and 12 earlier than taking a break for All-Star weekend.
Doncic was not voted an All-Star this season after lacking 28 video games for the 26-24 Mavericks.
The earth-rattling commerce that made the Lakers reputable contenders within the West for years to return has set off a series response all through the league.
The Sacramento Kings additionally traded their star guard, De’Aaron Fox, to the Spurs on Sunday as contenders start to emerge within the Western Convention.
