Luka Doncic’s long-awaited debut for the Los Angeles Lakers finally took place on Monday night against the Utah Jazz.

Luka Doncic's Lakers Debut Garners Big Ratings For ESPN

The blockbuster trade that brought him to L.A. created a frenzy among fans, and even Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki couldn’t resist attending the game to witness Doncic’s first moments in purple and gold.

The Lakers didn’t disappoint, securing a dominant 132-113 victory. While Doncic’s individual performance was relatively modest, the energy in the arena proved that his arrival had already electrified the franchise.
Luka Doncic (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images)
Since Doncic’s move to Los Angeles, Lakers fans have fully embraced him as their new superstar. The proof was in the numbers as his debut game averaged 2.01 million viewers on ESPN. It’s now the 15th-highest-rated NBA game of the season. More impressively, it was the most-watched NBA cable game since the Mavericks-Warriors game on November 12.

The Lakers organization made sure to give Doncic a warm welcome to ensure his first game at Crypto.com Arena was a memorable one. Every fan in attendance received a special shirt featuring Doncic’s iconic number 77.

Luka Doncic’s Father Opens Up About Mavericks Trade Shock

When the Mavs unexpectedly traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers midseason, no one was more furious than his father, Sasa Doncic. The shocking move left him frustrated, especially since there was no prior communication from the Dallas Mavericks. However, with time, Sasa has come to terms with the trade and recently shared his thoughts on Slovenian television.

“Well, regarding the trade, I have to say, at least from what Luka and I talk about, it feels like it happened a year ago. We’ve already forgotten about it, the bitterness of that moment. It was a shock, but at the end of the day, it’s a legitimate right of every team to trade its players if they are not satisfied with them,” his father said.

Luka and his father have put the past behind them, as there’s nothing to dwell on in the past. While the trade may have been unexpected, Luka is now looking ahead, ready to carve out a new legacy in Los Angeles.