LOS ANGELES – It's been two weeks since Luke Kennard was signed to the Los Angeles Lakers following the NBA trade deadline, but Thursday was his first practice with the team. After his acquisition, the Lakers' schedule did not allow any practice time, and then the All-Star break loomed. But considering the games he has played for the team so far, consider Luka Doncic a fan.
Luka Doncic has not played alongside Luke Kennard yet since he was sidelined with a hamstring injury during the Lakers' win against the Philadelphia 76ers on February 5, which was just the game before Kennard's debut. But after watching him on the court in subsequent games, and now after going through a practice session, Doncic likes the confidence that Kennard has whenever he blasts a shot from downtown.
"He was great in practice today. He's been great just finding himself," Doncic said after the Lakers' practice Thursday. "He's only played four games with us, so obviously he won't be fit straight away, obviously he needs time. But in practice, whenever he takes a three, he always thinks it's going to go in. It's great to see."
In Kennard's Lakers debut, on February 7, in a win against the Golden State Warriors, he finished with 10 points, two rebounds, two assists and one steal in 26 minutes. He shot 4 of 7 overall, 2 of 4 from the 3-point line and most importantly, he closed the game as part of the crunch time lineup at the end of the fourth quarter.
Kennard has appeared in four games so far for the Lakers, including one start, averaging nearly 24 minutes per game. He averaged 10.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists with a split of 62.5 percent shooting from the field and 45.5 percent shooting from the 3-point line. When averaging his 3-point percentage from earlier in the season with the Atlanta Hawks, Kennard leads the league with 49.4 percent.
For Lakers head coach JJ Redick, just being with the team is a good way to get through the on-court grind, especially when the entire group is able to practice.
"I just think every day when you're with the group, it's more comfortable," Redick said. "He did his drills this morning, did a good job. He had a great practice today. It was good to have Luca and AR with us as well."
Reddick mentioned earlier in the season that he used Pechakucha's Japanese storytelling presentation format to help with team-bonding activities, and Kennard finally got his opportunity.
With the All-Star break now in the rearview, the Lakers resume the season at home against the LA Clippers on Friday.
