On Wednesday night, the Los Angeles Lakers hosted the Charlotte Hornets.
The Lakers lost by a score of 100-97.
Luka Doncic finished the loss with 14 points, 11 reboudns, eight assists and one steal while shooting 5/18 from the field and 1/9 from the three-point range in 33 minutes of playing time.
Luka Doncic is shooting 36/21/58% as a Laker. pic.twitter.com/O9pNabfhRM
— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 20, 2025
Many people reacted to his performance on social media.
Kendrick Perkins: “It’s going to be another 2-3 weeks before we see the REAL Luka! He has to get into basketball shape and get his legs under him.”
It’s going to be another 2-3 weeks before we see the REAL Luka! He has to get into basketball shape and get his legs under him.
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) February 20, 2025
Sam Quinn: “Fans got mad at me for saying the Lakers aren’t contenders. This isn’t a victory lap post or anything (it’s been three games), it’s just a reminder that this year was never the point of the Luka trade.
They have a 25-year-old MVP candidate now. They have time to figure this out.”
Fans got mad at me for saying the Lakers aren’t contenders. This isn’t a victory lap post or anything (it’s been three games), it’s just a reminder that this year was never the point of the Luka trade.
They have a 25-year-old MVP candidate now. They have time to figure this out.
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) February 20, 2025
@NBAW0RLD24: “Luka Doncic in his first 3 games as a Laker:
14.7 PPG
6.7 RPG
5.3 APG
4.0 TOV
35.6% FG
Rough…”
Luka Doncic in his first 3 games as a Laker:
14.7 PPG
6.7 RPG
5.3 APG
4.0 TOV
35.6% FGRough… pic.twitter.com/bkIE0K8XIe
— NBA World (@NBAW0RLD24) February 20, 2025
@BricksCenter: “They guarding Luka like Ben Simmons and it’s working 😭😭😭”
They guarding Luka like Ben Simmons and it’s working 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/Z4wZkNJOKY
— BricksCenter (@BricksCenter) February 20, 2025
Grant Afseth: “One element of LeBron James’ poster dunk was Luka Dončić posting up a smaller defender and patiently reading before the pass.
Clearly tough to stop LeBron with momentum on an attack off the catch. Having a teammate to create those chances is valuable.”
One element of LeBron James’ poster dunk was Luka Dončić posting up a smaller defender and patiently reading before the pass.
Clearly tough to stop LeBron with momentum on an attack off the catch. Having a teammate to create those chances is valuable. pic.twitter.com/xGrmKaiMpU
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) February 20, 2025
Los Angeles Lakers: “Luka with the overhead pass 🤝 LeBron with the tomahawk dunk”
Luka with the overhead pass 🤝 LeBron with the tomahawk dunk pic.twitter.com/6eMVktuf0b
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 20, 2025
@LakeShowYo: “Luka playing defense”
Luka playing defense pic.twitter.com/NLEmXCw1P5
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) February 20, 2025
@LukaMuse__: “Luka Tonight:.
— 14 PTS
— 11 REB
— 8 AST
— 1 STL
— 5/18 FG
1-2 as a Laker..”
Luka Tonight:.
— 14 PTS
— 11 REB
— 8 AST
— 1 STL
— 5/18 FG1-2 as a Laker.. pic.twitter.com/7yjJoe9AD6
— LukaMuse (@LukaMuse__) February 20, 2025
@jcummins_24: “If Luka even hits 25% of his shots that’s a double digit win for the Lakers. Should still beat that team but once he gets going we will be fine #LakeShow”
If Luka even hits 25% of his shots that’s a double digit win for the Lakers. Should still beat that team but once he gets going we will be fine #LakeShow
— Justin Cummins (@jcummins_24) February 20, 2025
Skip Bayless: “LeBron and Luka – 2 Magics! – are putting on a Showtime show tonight. LeBron: 6 assists at half. Luka: 5 assists (but, yes, 5 turnovers trying to pull off impossible passes).”
LeBron and Luka – 2 Magics! – are putting on a Showtime show tonight. LeBron: 6 assists at half. Luka: 5 assists (but, yes, 5 turnovers trying to pull off impossible passes).
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) February 20, 2025
The Lakers dropped to 32-21 in 53 games, which has them as the fifth seed in the Western Conference.
They will visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night.
