Luka Doncic made his LA Lakers debut, and while not as spectacular as some previous greats, it was still an impressive showing for a player with no action to his name in two months.

The 132-113 win was a real occasion for the Lakers, with Austin Reaves showing he can share the ball with Doncic, putting up 22 points of his own.

LeBron James continued to show his everlasting greatness with a 24-7-8 contribution, and could have offered more if needed to.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the NBA game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers on February 04, 2025, ...
Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

LeBron James has new start

While Charles Barkley expressed doubts Luka Doncic and LeBron James can play together, many feel he is missing the point.

Doncic’s eagerness to handle the ball and run the offense allows LeBron James to conserve his energy, something he has been trying to do at times this season, and that you would anticipate at 40-years-old.

Former NBA star Kevin Garnett believes Doncic will take over the offense in a way Anthony Davis was never quite able to do.

Garnett told KG Certified: “This is what ‘Bron wanted AD to do. This ____ Luka about to do, it will be impactful.

He added: “I love it, I love this for the league.”

Matt Barnes broke the situation down further, believing the LA Lakers could see LeBron James play in a style he did for Team USA last summer.

Barnes said: “I think Bron wants to play in the Olympics, ‘let me be a Swiss Army knife, don’t make me have to have 30 every night and these crazy triple doubles, let me get these 17-12-11 triple doubles’.

“Luka’s going for 40, you get [Gabe] Vincent going you get Austin [Reaves] going… maybe ‘Bron can be Olympic ‘Bron and let Luka carry the torch.”

Anthony Davis has departed to join the Dallas Mavericks, part of the Doncic trade, and while he commanding huge threat on the Lakers, he was not a ball-dominant player in the same way as Luka.

LeBron James taking leadership role

Luka Doncic was the final player to be announced among the LA Lakers starting five against Utah, building the anticipation, that saw Dirk Nowitzki fly in to watch his debut.

LeBron spoke in the pre-game huddle to urge Doncic to ‘be yourself’, demanding that he does not try to fit in around anybody else.

Doncic said after the game: “For him to say something like that, just was amazing, gave me confidence. And after that speech, it was chills. So I’m just happy to be a part of it.”

JJ Redick praised the steady impact made by Doncic, a player tipped to become the 2025/26 MVP hours before his debut.

There is plenty to play for this season, and LeBron James will be crucial to his success.

Garnett has already predicted that Doncic could add years to James’ career, wondering if son Bryce James could also join him on the court.