Doncic off the mark as Lakers rout Jazz

LOS ANGELES: Luka Doncic made a winning start to his Los Angeles Lakers career on Monday (Feb 10), returning from injury with 14 points for his new team in a 132-113 drubbing of the Utah Jazz.

Slovenian superstar Doncic - who was traded to the Lakers by the Dallas Mavericks earlier this month in one of the most jaw-dropping deals in NBA history - was playing his first game since suffering a calf injury in December.

The 25-year-old saw his time on court limited to 24 minutes, with Lakers head coach JJ Redick saying beforehand the club would be cautious as they managed Doncic's fitness.

"I heard a lot of noise when I was introduced - it was a special moment," Doncic said afterwards of the reception by the Lakers home crowd. "The way they received me, it was amazing to see.

"I was a little bit nervous before the game but once I stepped onto the court it was fun. Just being out there again felt amazing."

There was a fleeting scare in the first quarter when Doncic required treatment to his left calf before heading to the locker room early in the quarter.

But the five-time All-Star returned to the court before eventually leaving the game late in the third quarter with the Lakers in control leading 93-69.

In his time on court Doncic showed plenty of glimpses of the class that the Lakers hope will lead the team into a new era.

He scored his first points as a Laker with a superb 26-foot three-pointer in the first quarter, and combined well throughout with LeBron James, who finished with 24 points.

Doncic drew one of the loudest roars of the night after unleashing a length-of-the-court pass to James for a score in the first half.

He later said he believes his understanding with the 40-year-old icon could cause problems for the rest of the