Kobe Bryant’s former LA Lakers teammate Sasha Vujacic has paid tribute to Luka Doncic.
Luka Doncic erupted for 52 points in the LA Lakers‘ 132-123 win over the Utah Jazz, setting an all-time team scoring record in the process. Doncic became the quickest Laker to ever reach 3,000 points total for the team.
Doncic’s 52 was the highest total for any NBA player so far this season, and it came in a game where the Lakers needed it. The home team Utah Jazz scored 45 in the first quarter to leave the Lakers trailing.
Speaking to the Lakers’ postgame show on Spectrum, former star Sasha Vujacic said he believes this actually helped to motivate Doncic.
Vujacic said: “A start like that gets him going. Star players like that, they want everything to go against them, and then have the opportunity to go on the floor and decide the game.”
The former star said he knew that Doncic would step up for the Lakers, comparing his relentless impact to NBA legend Kobe Bryant. Vujacic and Bryant were teammates between 2004 and 2010, winning back-to-back titles together at the end of their spell.
Vujacic explained: “I knew at some point he would take over the game. Kobe night-in and night-out he was simply untouchable, and Luka just showed now it was his time to shine.”
Doncic has a long way to go to stack up some of Bryant’s records. While he now has 19 games of 40+ points or more for the Lakers, Bryant had an incredible 122.
Bryant also won five NBA titles with the Lakers – while Doncic is yet to win one.
Yet there is clearly a comparable element of their ability to score at will and take over games, and Doncic was electric in the win on the road in Utah.
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Vujacic knew Doncic would deliver
Vujacic discussed the way Doncic looked after the Lakers’ win with the Clippers two nights earlier, explaining how he ‘knew’ he would play with a spark against Utah.
He said: “The way he walked off the court that last game, I knew he would have a great game. He was just thirsty to play today, he wanted to play. He showed everybody why he’s the franchise player and why he loves pressure.”
Doncic’s big night came amid an unproductive game for Walker Kessler upon his return to his former team.
Kessler managed to score only two points, although did grab seven rebounds and was a +6 during his game time. But it was a big dip on his two 20+ games to start the season.
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