Luka Doncic. Image via: Getty Images
Lakers fans held their breath at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Monday night. Doncic had not played an official game since April 2. The 27-year-old guard still logged 16 minutes in a 127-103 win and spoke afterward about how his body felt. Also, it is unclear what caused the limp, but Doncic still finished with 21 points on 5-of-12 shooting, plus two rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Rookie Cameron Carr scored 19, Quentin Grimes had 16 and Williams added 13, and the last two made a case for starting spots.
Afterward, Doncic reported feeling great and called the team impressive.
“I’m really happy to be back,” Doncic said after five or six months away. Doncic also said the Lakers have plenty of room to improve, especially in the move from defense to offense. Lakers coach JJ Redick said Doncic worked hard all summer and arrived at camp in “fantastic shape. Doncic played less live basketball than in past summers and spent that time on cardio and running instead, according to Redick. “I didn’t change much,” Doncic said, pointing to extra rest and the break from national team play.
Luka Doncic was seen limping at one point during the preseason opener against the Kings, and the worry spread fast on a roster built around one player. Coach JJ Redick also weighed in on what Doncic did differently this summer, and the two accounts do not match perfectly. The post-game coverage does not point to a serious injury. Rest played a role, too. Doncic sat out the playoffs and skipped national team duty, so the season starts with solid health and a fresh mind. Doncic described it more simply. Both versions can be true. Less time on court and more running would fit neatly with a summer of extra rest.