After a challenging start to his tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers, Luka Doncic is optimistic about his path to regaining top form. Despite the Lakers' narrow 100-97 loss to the Charlotte Hornets, Doncic, still shaking off the rust from a six-week layoff due to a calf strain, views every game as a step forward in his recovery.

With the Los Angeles Lakers playing a rescheduled contest to resume play following the All-Star break, they suffered another loss with Luka Doncic on the squad.