Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic suited up on Wednesday for his third game since being traded from the Dallas Mavericks. Appearing in two games with the Lakers before the All-Star break, Doncic averaged 15.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists while being restricted to just 23.5 minutes per contest.

Ahead of Wednesday’s matchup, it was reported that Doncic would be off his minutes restriction (via ESPN’s Shams Charania).

While he was able to log 15 minutes and 33 seconds of first half playing time against Charlotte, Doncic did not look like himself.

Turning the ball over five times and missing all five of his three-point attempts, Doncic’s first half was one to forget.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and guard Luka Doncic (77) © Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images © Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images The first quarter was especially bad for Doncic, as he tallied all five of his first half turnovers in that frame.

Doing so in just eight minutes Doncic made unfortunate NBA history.

Per Basketball Reference’s StatHead (h/t Ahaan Rungta on X), Doncic is the NBA’s only player this season with five turnovers in less than 12 first quarter minutes, and just the 14th player ever to do it in less than nine first quarter minutes.

Luka Dončić in the first quarter tonight: 8 minutes 5 turnovers He is the first player this season with 5+ TOV in the 1Q without playing every minute… …and the 14th player in #NBA history with 5+ TOV in the 1Q in less than 9 minutes (list pictured via @Stathead). pic.twitter.com/Ku0DdVWF71 — Ahaan Rungta (@AhaanRungta) February 20, 2025 Los Angeles was able to escape the first frame with a 28-21 lead, and grew that advantage to 48-37 at halftime.

While Doncic’s turnovers were uncharacteristic, he still finished the first half with seven rebounds and five assists.

Entering Wednesday’s game, Doncic was averaging 27.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 7.5 assists in 24 games between Dallas and Los Angeles this season.