‘Time is Essential’: Luka Doncic Struggles in Rhythm Clash Amidst Humiliating Lakers Loss

Luka Doncic struggled to find his rhythm in his third outing with the Los Angeles Lakers, and LeBron James was unable to compensate for his teammate’s misfire.

However, the Lakers remain unperturbed after their disappointing 100-97 defeat to the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday (AEDT).

Doncic managed to put up 14 points with a shooting percentage of 5-of-18, including a dismal 1-for-9 from beyond the arc.

The Slovenian sensation also contributed 11 rebounds and eight assists but struggled with six turnovers and five fouls during his 33 minutes on the court—his longest stint since his blockbuster trade from the Dallas Mavericks.

“Clearly, it’s going to take a bit of time,” Doncic admitted.

“I had a lot of rust today. I started the game with four or five turnovers, and that’s just unacceptable. I need to play basketball the right way,” Doncic reflected.

The game was visibly frustrating for Doncic, who was making just his third NBA appearance following a six-and-a-half week layoff due to a calf strain he sustained on Christmas Day.

At times, when he managed to score against the Hornets, Doncic displayed a mix of relief and exasperation.

In his initial three games with the Lakers, he’s shooting 16 for 45 overall, including a mere 5 for 24 from beyond the arc — featuring a lacklustre 2 for 16 in his two home games, where fans eagerly await each shot only to groan at missed attempts.

Back-to-back losses against struggling teams like Utah and Charlotte are disappointing for a franchise that previously enjoyed a run of 10 wins in 11 games, but James is not overly concerned about Doncic’s slow introduction to the Lakers.

“It’s just his third game since Christmas and his third with us,” James pointed out.

“He’s still learning all the plays and defensive coverages and signals we’ve established since September,” he added. “We’re fast-tracking his integration while he’s getting back to form.”

Despite the challenging performance against Charlotte, it wasn’t entirely bleak for Doncic, as this marked his first game without a minute restriction since returning from his injury.

He led the Lakers in rebounds, and his plus-13 rating was the highest on the team despite the turnovers.

“He needs to feel comfortable being himself because he’s one of the world’s elite players,” said Austin Reaves, who got ejected in the third quarter just as the Hornets went on a 22-1 run.

“We rely on him to be his true self, and it will take a few games and weeks to determine what that looks like. But we can figure it out fairly fast.”

In a tense finish, Doncic was the one passing the ball to James for the final attempts, both of which were unsuccessful 3-point shots in the last six seconds.

Doncic had no issue with not being the focal point in the closing moments. “He was in a groove, so we obviously went to him,” Doncic explained.

“It’ll be a two-way street. Sometimes it’ll be him; other times it’ll be me, depending on how the game unfolds.”

The Lakers acquired Doncic from the Mavericks on February 2 as part of a massive trade that involved Anthony Davis heading to Dallas.

Though Doncic played in the Lakers’ last two matchups before the All-Star break, he only logged a total of 47 minutes as they brought him back gradually.

He also took several days to recuperate while the NBA’s top talents showcased their skills in San Francisco during the All-Star Game.

“Honestly, I was trying to clear my mind of basketball for a bit,” Doncic remarked.

“I’m just eager to get back and compete. Missing this much time was a new experience for me. Now, I’m excited to be back on the court.”

Doncic won’t have time to dwell on his rocky start: Following their loss, the Lakers are off to Portland for a showdown with the Trail Blazers on Friday (AEDT) before heading to Denver on Sunday (AEDT).

As the shock of the midseason trade continues to fade, Doncic is focused on looking ahead. “This is one of the greatest clubs in the world, and I’m thrilled to be here,” he stated. “I know it’ll take some time, but I’m proud to represent the Lakers.”