No LeBron? No problem. The Los Angeles Lakers faced the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena without their iconic leader, LeBron James, and a key rotation piece, Rui Hachimura. But in the absence of their superstar, the Lakers found their savior in none other than Luka Doncic.
In his first game at Crypto.com Arena as a Laker, the Slovenian sensation was nothing short of spectacular. Luka wasted no time making an impact. He rewrote the script on what the game was going to look like. With his first 3-pointer of the evening, Doncic etched his name into Lakers history, becoming the fastest player in franchise history to reach 50+ made 3-pointers, according to StatMamba. His effortless shooting stroke, smooth ball-handling, and crafty playmaking made it clear from the opening tip: he was ready to lead the Lakers through a challenging stretch.
Luka’s brilliance was on full display from the very start. In the first quarter, he exploded for 21 points, marking his 200th career game with at least 30 points. This wasn’t just a one-man show, though. Despite the absence of LeBron and Hachimura, the Lakers showed resilience, with Austin Reaves stepping up to score 22 points, fueling the team to a hard-fought victory.
But it was Luka’s magic that truly shone. His elite passing didn’t miss a beat, even with a new squad and unfamiliar faces around him. One of the most notable developments in recent games has been Luka’s burgeoning chemistry with Jaxson Hayes. In the absence of LeBron, Luka seems to have found a new target. Prior to Luka’s arrival, Hayes was averaging a modest 4.6 points per game. However, with Luka orchestrating the offense, Hayes’ production steadily increased, 
But not all is smooth sailing in Lakerland. Despite the team’s successes, chemistry remains an issue. With the Lakers playing six games in eight days, there’s been little time for practice, making it tough to establish the kind of on-court harmony that elite teams rely on. When ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt asked Luka about the challenge of building chemistry, especially with LeBron sidelined, the 26-year-old didn’t mince words: “We basically have no practice. I mean, we don’t have time to practice. We play six games in eight days, so it’s impossible to practice. Obviously, it’s tough because in practice, you get chemistry, you get everything. It’s on us to figure that out.”
Despite the challenge, Luka remains optimistic. He’s confident that as the days pass, the team will continue to build that vital chemistry. “Like I always say, every day gets better. That’s three wins in a row now, so we’ve got to just keep it going,” Doncic said after the game. It’s that kind of positive mindset and determination that could help carry the Lakers through this difficult stretch.
Many had their doubts when Luka was traded from Dallas to LA, wondering how he and LeBron would fit together. Would their playing styles mesh? Would Luka be able to thrive in the shadow of a player as dominant as James? But as the wins continue to stack up and their on-court connection grows stronger, it’s safe to say that critics have been silenced—at least for now.
Paul Pierce, among others, had questioned the pairing, but with each game, it becomes clearer that Luka is making the Lakers his own. While LeBron’s absence has been significant, it’s clear that the Slovenian star is more than capable of leading the charge. Whether he’s setting up teammates, scoring in bunches, or taking over games in the clutch, Luka Doncic has shown that he’s ready to embrace his new role as the face of the Lakers.
As the season progresses, the Lakers’ road ahead remains challenging, but with Luka’s leadership and the promise of continued growth, the future looks bright. The question now is not whether Luka will thrive in LA, but rather how high this team can soar once LeBron returns and the chemistry reaches its peak. With Doncic at the helm, the Lakers’ ship might just be steadier than ever before.
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