The shock factor has yet to wear off for Doncic.

Feb 19, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and guard Luka Doncic (77) during the second quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images / Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images

Luka Doncic’s start with the Los Angeles Lakers has been less than inspiring. Through three games, two before the All-Star break and one after, he’s averaging just 14.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG, and 5.3 APG while shooting 35.6% from the floor and 20.8% from three.

He’s still working his way back into basketball shape after missing the longest stretch of his career with a calf strain, but even without a restriction on his minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Hornets, things just look different.

He doesn’t have the same energy, is being targeted on defense more than ever, and is very visibly frustrated.

All of that is perfectly understandable, though. Doncic expected to be on the Dallas Mavericks for his entire career, and he was traded in the middle of the night without warning.

He was shocked at the trade when it happened, his body language in his introductory press conference signaled someone who was stunned, and he spent the All-Star Break trying to take his mind off of basketball.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after making a basket during the second quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images / Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images

Luka Doncic’s father, Sasa, said that they have moved on from the trade, but that doesn’t appear to be the case, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

“What I’ve kept hearing around Luka Doncic over the last couple weeks is the word ‘shellshocked,’” Charania said. “That’s been the vibe around him ever since the trade.

I think once he gets a rhythm, a routine, and gets his legs under him and gets back into basketball shape, I think that’s when we’ll see Luka Doncic perform the way we’re accustomed to.”

The Mavericks and Lakers play in Los Angeles on Tuesday the 25th, but Doncic is far from operating at 100% right now.

After putting up just 14 points on 5/18 shooting on Wednesday night, the Lakers are holding him out on Thursday against the Portland Trail Blazers as he continues to get back to full strength.

Whether he’ll give a vintage killer-like performance against his former team is yet to be seen.