The Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks matchup was full of emotions and memories, all because Luka Doncic returned to the city where it all began. However, this time around, he’s wearing a different uniform and facing the former franchise he once called home just a couple of months earlier. Despite an emotional tribute video dedicated to the Slovenian wonderboy, Doncic didn’t let feelings get in his way as he dominated the Mavericks en route to the Lakers’ 49th win of the season, 112-97.
After wiping the tears on his face, Doncic proceeded to catch fire in his first 18 minutes of play. In just the first half, Luka Magic already has 31 points, including a 6-of-8 shooting from behind the arc. This is probably the first time the home crowd cheers, instead of booing, every time a visiting player touches the ball.
Dallas tried everything they could with Anthony Davis back in action, but it still wasn’t enough for Doncic and the Lakers, who were trying their best to get another win after a controversial loss yesterday against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Doncic would go on to finish the game with 45 points, tying his season-high in scoring, on top of his 6 assists and 8 rebounds. LeBron James, who was laying low early in the game to pave the way for Luka, pushed harder in the second half. The King then had 27 points, 3 assists, and 7 rebounds at the end of the game.
On the other hand, Davis played well but wasn’t exactly the kind of production he was known to give. AD in 33 minutes recorded 13 points, 6 assists, and 11 rebounds. Without Kyrie Irving, Naji Marshall picked up the offensive load and put up 23 points and 8 dimes.
This win puts the Lakers in the third seed in a stacked Western Conference while also subsequently allowing them to finally clinch a playoff spot.
Doncic: “Time to Move On”
After the Dirk Nowitzki era, the Dallas Mavericks were desperate to look for the next face of the franchise. Lo and behold, it only took them a single summer to find that guy.
In 2018, they traded Trae Young to the Atlanta Hawks on draft night for Luka Doncic, and the rest was history. From 2018 to 2024, Doncic would become a Rookie of the Year, a 5-time NBA All-Star, a 5-time All-NBA First Team member, and would also bring the team back to the NBA Finals since 2011. The Slovenian superstar is exactly the cornerstone this franchise needed. A deadly scorer, a high IQ playmaker, and an excellent overall player.
But then, everything snapped when Mavs GM Nico Harrison traded him to the Lakers back in February. A trade that would go down as the most controversial and landscape-altering trade in league history. Fans, analysts, and even the players couldn’t believe their eyes. Luka Don is now a Laker.
It may be an emotional thing for Luka, but as he said, it’s time to move on. He truly loves Dallas, especially the people and the fanbase, but there’s nothing he can do but move forward. After his highly anticipated homecoming game, Doncic pushes the Lakers to another playoff run, hoping to get their hands on the Larry O’Brien trophy.
