LeBron James and Luka Doncic might be clicking on the court, but off it? Something still feels missing. For all of LeBron’s well-known leadership and locker room charisma, his bond with Luka hasn’t quite reached that next level. One small but telling detail? LeBron’s signature handshakes—those personalized greetings he shares with just about everyone—haven’t made their way to the Slovenian star. And while it might seem like a small thing, it speaks volumes about a relationship that’s still finding its rhythm.
In an exclusive interview with Chris McGee on Spectrum Sportsnet, Luka Doncic opened up about his evolving relationship with the 21x All-Star. When asked by McGee about their seamless partnership on the court, Luka acknowledged their shared basketball intelligence and compatibility. It’s clear that the connection between the two hasn’t fully developed into the tight-knit relationship that some might expect from a duo of their caliber.
When McGee asked if he had his own special handshake with LeBron, Luka chuckled, saying, “No, no, we don’t have yet.” Despite the jovial nature of his response, Luka seemed unconcerned about the handshake ritual, quickly adding, “Forget the handshakes. That’s why.” but he was sure they’ll have one later.
Feb 10, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) takes the ball down court as forward LeBron James (23) looks on against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
But while the handshakes might be absent, Luka’s locker room chemistry with his new teammates is still growing. This gradual bond was evident when Luka shared his thoughts on Austin Reaves, a player he admired before joining the Lakers.
Reflecting on Reaves’ rise from undrafted player to a key piece of the Lakers, Luka explained, “I mean, it was great. I won’t even when he came to the Lakers, you know, he was undrafted. Nobody really knew who he was, but then he made sure everybody know who he was. And you know, saying, when I came to Lakers seen him, I was even more impressed,” the 5x All-Star shared.
As the conversation turned toward an unforgettable moment between the Lakers and Mavericks, the Slovenian reflected on the emotional atmosphere when the home crowd, led by Lakers teammates, chanted his name following a pivotal basket. He described the moment as “half happy,” acknowledging the incredible connection he shares with the fans in both Dallas and Los Angeles. “They accept me from the first day, the same thing for Dallas fans, you know? They accept me from the first year,” Luka explained, further elaborating that the fans’ love for him grew even stronger from the moment he stepped on the court in both cities.
However, it wasn’t just the fans who showed Luka support. The Lakers players rallied around him, cheering with the crowd, creating what McGee called a “unifying moment.” Luka was clearly moved by this gesture, stating, “For sure yeah, that was a big moment, not just for me, but for the whole team, for the staff, for the players. It was a big moment, and I think it brought us even more together.”
Luka was then asked if he felt like the Lakers team was truly “his” yet. His response was confident and positive. “Yeah, for sure,” he said. “They’re taking care of me in every way possible, so I’m really glad I’m here.”
When asked about the key to the Lakers making a deep playoff run, Luka shared an important lesson he’s learned from his own basketball journey: unity. He stressed the importance of staying together, even when the team faces adversity. “Stay together, stay together. Remember everybody’s gonna have runs, uh, but we gotta stay together till the end,” he said.
Despite the occasional moments of synergy between Doncic and LeBron, it’s clear that their relationship is still developing. The clarity on their locker room chemistry is still emerging, and whether it fully reaches its potential remains to be seen.
That said, star power doesn’t guarantee a safety net—not when your margin for error is razor-thin.
The Lakers can’t get past the Timberwolves even with LeBron James and Luka Doncic
Even with LeBron James and Luka Doncic sharing the court, the Lakers looked anything but invincible in Game 1. Minnesota stormed into Crypto.com Arena and left with a 117-95 win—and honestly, it never felt close after the opening quarter.
Luka dropped 37 and grabbed eight rebounds, but let’s be real—he didn’t exactly control the game. One assist? That’s not Luka. He looked like he was freelancing more than orchestrating. Maybe it was first-game nerves in a Lakers jersey during the playoffs, but the Timberwolves didn’t give him a warm welcome. They were physical, sharp, and clearly the hungrier team.
Feb 19, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and guard Luka Doncic (77) during the first quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images
The 4x MVP tried to let Luka shine, maybe a little too much. He finished with just 19 points and never quite found his rhythm. You could see he was holding back, waiting for Luka to take over. But in the playoffs, waiting can get you bounced.
Minnesota’s shooting? Insane. They drilled 21 threes at a 50% clip. Meanwhile, LA’s bench looked like they forgot the game started. Dorian Finney-Smith, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Gabe Vincent? Three made shots combined.
JJ Redick called it out: mentally ready, physically not. That about sums it up. This version of the Lakers—disconnected and outworked—won’t survive this series. Game 2? It better look different. Because LeBron and Luka can’t carry this alone.
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