Nobody ever thought that one day, Luka Doncic would suit up for another team, except for the Dallas Mavericks. Well, fans were all for it. The Los Angeles Lakers hosted the visiting Mavericks team on Wednesday, their first meeting since the infamous trade deadline last February 9, 2025. Luka, donning the bright colors of purple and gold, showed up against his former team, and even made a huge NBA record in front of the same Mavericks executive that traded him: Nico Harrison.
Luka Magic Doing Luka Things
Doncic came out to the floor, guns blazing and excited for another action as a Laker. After all, the 25-year-old star will be facing his former team for the first time in his career.
As expected, Luka Magic delivered during that game. The Slovenian wonderboy stuffed the stat sheet with his first triple-double in a Lakers uniform by putting up 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists, and even added 3 steals and 2 blocks.
Doncic creates another NBA record by becoming the first player ever to record at least 12 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks.
Luka was well aware of how deadly Kyrie Irving can be, yet still, he managed to control the tempo of the game against his former buddy. A highlight he created earlier in the game where he whipped the ball behind his head for a kickout no-look pass to Austin Reaves was a clear indication of how he has complete control against Dallas.
Luka definitely cooked the entire Mavericks, of course with the help of 40-year-old LeBron James and leading scorer Austin Reaves.
“Thank You Nico!” Chants Roaring in the Crowd
Luka Doncic made sure to let the whole Dallas Mavericks team feel the heat inside the Crypto arena. First, he played physically against his former teammates. Then, he taunted the bench by staring at them after a made three. Meanwhile, a snippet of Nico Harrison looking at Luka also went viral on the internet while Lakers fans are mocking him and started chanting “thank you, Nico”.
The Lakers-Mavs matchup was super eventful, but the close matchup between two Western behemoths was more than just basketball. Doncic was dragged in the mud by Harrison and the Mavericks front office since being traded, and it was extra messy that it changed the league’s landscape.
