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New Photo of Luka Doncic's Painful Lakers Moment Emerges

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Angelo Guinhawa | Last updated Feb 11, 2025 9:21 AM ET

Luka Doncic's debut with the Los Angeles Lakers was a success after the team beat the Utah Jazz 132-113. However, it wasn't all that pleasant for the Slovenian star, especially after a rather painful moment late in the contest.

Doncic played his first game with the Lakers against the Jazz on Monday after missing the past month and a half due to a calf strain. He missed 19 straight games with the Dallas Mavericks and three more since being traded to the Lakers before he returned to action.

The 25-year-old had a limited time on the court as the Lakers eased him back to action, playing just 24 minutes. Still, he made the most of the opportunity and tallied 14 points along with five rebounds and four assists.

Doncic had a number of key moments, including his first basket early in the opening quarter that came off his signature step-back 3-pointer. In the second quarter, he also linked up with LeBron James with a full-court pass for an easy two.

In the third quarter, however, Doncic found himself on the wrong end of a physical play. An inadvertent elbow from Jazz rookie Isaiah Collier hit the five-time All-Star in the face, leaving Doncic clearly shaken.

The 2024 NBA scoring champion quickly covered his face as he tried to nurse the pain. SportsCenter, meanwhile, shared a photo of the exact moment Collier hit Doncic.