Los Angeles Lakers Embrace Luke Kennard's Arrival
The Los Angeles Lakers have welcomed Luke Kennard into their fold, and after two weeks since the NBA trade deadline, he finally hit the practice court with his new team. A packed schedule and the All-Star break delayed this moment, but Kennard has already made an impression on his teammates, including Luka Doncic, who’s been observing from the sidelines due to a hamstring injury.
Doncic, sidelined since the Lakers' victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, has been impressed with Kennard’s confidence, especially from beyond the arc. "He was great in practice today.
He’s been great just finding himself," Doncic shared. "He’s only played four games with us, so obviously he needs time.
But in practice, whenever he shoots a three, he always thinks it’s gonna go in. It’s great to see that."
Kennard made his Lakers debut with a solid performance against the Golden State Warriors, contributing 10 points, two rebounds, two assists, and a steal in 26 minutes. His shooting was sharp, going 4-of-7 overall and 2-of-4 from three-point range, playing a crucial role in the game's closing moments.
In his four appearances, including one start, Kennard has averaged 10.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists, with impressive shooting splits of 62.5 percent from the field and 45.5 percent from three. Combining these numbers with his earlier season stats with the Atlanta Hawks, Kennard is leading the league with a 49.4 percent three-point shooting rate.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick emphasized the importance of practice for team cohesion. “Every day you’re with the group, it’s more comfortable,” Redick noted. Kennard participated in a PechaKucha presentation, a unique team-bonding exercise Redick has introduced, and impressed his teammates.
As the Lakers gear up to face the LA Clippers on Friday, Kennard’s integration into the team continues to be a promising development. With the All-Star break behind them, the Lakers are ready to push forward, bolstered by Kennard’s shooting prowess and growing chemistry with the team.