Luka Doncic makes $500K donation to wildfire relief before Lakers debut
LOS ANGELES — Before Luka Doncic played his first game as a Laker, he made a charitable donation to assist with relief efforts for the tragedies that occurred before he even moved to Southern California.
Doncic, through his self-named foundation, announced on Monday morning a $500,000 donation to “immediate recovery efforts” for those who suffered from the Los Angeles area wildfires, which burned through the region last month starting on Jan. 7.
The 25-year-old five-time All-Star, who the Lakers acquired from the Dallas Mavericks in a three-team trade earlier this month, made his Lakers debut against the Utah Jazz on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena.
In a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) from his foundation, with the title “A Note From Luka,” Doncic wrote: “It’s been so sad to see and learn more about the damage from the wildfires since I landed in LA. I can’t believe it and I feel for all the kids who lost their homes, schools and the places where they used to play with their friends.
“[On Monday], my foundation is donating $500,000 to immediate recovery efforts. I am also committed to helping rebuild courts, playgrounds and fields that were destroyed, because every kid needs a safe place to play. To everyone affected by these fires: we’re here to help, now and for the long haul.”
Doncic signed his note: “Your new neighbor.”
Doncic joined a long list of professional athletes and teams who have made charitable donations in light of the fires.
Twelve Southern California professional sports teams – the Lakers, Angel City FC, the Angels, Chargers, Clippers, Dodgers, Ducks, Galaxy, Kings, LAFC, Rams and Sparks – pledged a combined donation of more than $8 million to support victims in need, as well as those fighting the fires.
The teams also joined forces with Fanatics and the Fanatics Foundation to distribute $3 million worth of Fanatics merchandise to those who evacuated their homes.
The Lakers also hosted multiple donation drives the week after the fires started.
CONTINUITY
Doncic started alongside Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James and Jaxson Hayes in his first game with the Lakers.
Coach JJ Redick acknowledged that there has been consideration about having Dorian Finney-Smith join the first unit, but they are sticking with Hachimura, who has started every game this season.
“And that group, obviously, starting with a sample size of zero, and we’ll go from there,” Redick said. “There is a lot of thought around Doe, but frankly, he and the way he plays doesn’t change whether he comes off the bench or starts. And Rui has just been fantastic all season long.
“I wouldn’t say there’s a lineup change on the horizon in terms of getting Doe in the starting lineup. We love him in the starting lineup if somebody’s out. We love him off the bench. But everything gets examined.”
HONEST CONVERSATIONS
With the Lakers’ trade with the Charlotte Hornets for 7-foot center Mark Williams being rescinded on Saturday night, rookie wing Dalton Knecht and veteran wing Cam Reddish returned to the Lakers after a 72-hour period when they thought they’d be on the Hornets.
Redick said the unusual situation created a “whirlwind of emotion.”
“Cam is still with his family, welcomed his baby daughter last week and obviously want to give him time with his family,” he said. “With Dalton, I spoke with him this [on Monday morning]. I expressed to him just the empathy and grace that I will give him and have for him right now.
“He’s obviously been through a whirlwind of emotion as a rookie over the last few days, but we believe in the strength of the group. Having him around the group, he’s not going to necessarily be in the rotation, he will be in uniform. But I really feel like given he flew back into L.A. [Sunday] night, he’s obviously kind of processing everything that’s happened.”