Luka Doncic Eager for Four-Game Homestand After Lengthy Road Stretch
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The Los Angeles Lakers return to Crypto.com Arena this week after a taxing run of six road contests in seven games, and newly acquired star Luka Doncic says he is ready to be back in Southern California.
“I can’t wait. Being home is great. I can go on the beach a lot, get some sun. Just playing in front of the home crowd is gonna be amazing, can’t wait for that,” Doncic told Spectrum SportsNet on Sunday night in Salt Lake City following a 117-111 victory over the Utah Jazz.
The win pushed Los Angeles to 12-4, keeping the club in second place in the Western Conference during Doncic’s first full season with the Lakers. The four-time All-NBA guard arrived in a blockbuster February trade with the Dallas Mavericks and is under contract for three more years.
Busy week in Los Angeles
Los Angeles opens a four-game homestand Tuesday against the L.A. Clippers, giving players a chance to spend Thanksgiving at home before facing Doncic’s former team, the Mavericks, on Friday. The stretch continues with matchups against the New Orleans Pelicans on Nov. 29 and the Phoenix Suns on Dec. 1, after which the Lakers embark on a three-game East Coast trip.
Role players step up in Utah
Sunday’s win required extended minutes from Doncic, but head coach JJ Redick leaned on reserve help after center Deandre Ayton was ruled out for the second half. Jaxson Hayes started the third quarter, and forward Maxi Kleber—who also arrived from Dallas in the trade and is working back from last season’s foot injury—logged key minutes late. Doncic praised Kleber’s contribution after the game, noting the importance of the veteran’s defense and floor spacing.
The Lakers hope the upcoming home stretch allows the roster to recover from nagging injuries while maintaining momentum in the standings—something Doncic appears eager to experience in front of the home crowd.
Source: Lakers Nation
