Luka Doncic Returns As Lakers Face Mavericks In Dallas Showdown

The NBA’s Rivalry Week delivered a blockbuster matchup Saturday night as the Los Angeles Lakers visited the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. The anticipation was sky-high—not just for the storied franchises clashing, but for the return of Luka Doncic to Dallas, this time donning Lakers gold and purple. It’s a twist that still feels surreal to many fans, as just a year ago Doncic was the heart and soul of the Mavericks. Now, the tables have turned, and the Mavericks are looking to prove they can thrive in a post-Doncic era, while the Lakers aim to extend their recent dominance in this head-to-head series.

Tip-off was set for 8:30 p.m. ET, with ABC carrying the national broadcast. For those without cable, streaming options abounded: ESPN Unlimited, DirecTV, Fubo, and Sling TV all offered ways to catch the action live, with free trials enticing new viewers. The game was also available for streaming on Fubo and DirecTV, making it accessible for hoops fans everywhere—even those traveling abroad, thanks to VPNs (though always check your local laws before logging in from overseas!).

This wasn’t just another regular season contest. It was the second meeting between the teams this season; the Lakers had already claimed victory in their November 28 home game, topping Dallas 129-119. Austin Reaves led the Lakers in that one with a career-high 38 points, while P.J. Washington paced the Mavericks with 22. Coming into Saturday, the Lakers boasted a 26-17 record (sixth in the Western Conference), while the Mavericks sat at 19-26 (12th in the West), but riding a three-game home win streak and a season-long four-game overall winning streak. The stakes felt bigger than ever, and the crowd in Dallas was buzzing with anticipation.

Much of the pre-game chatter centered on Doncic. After his blockbuster trade from Dallas to Los Angeles—a move that sent Anthony Davis the other way—Doncic had embraced his new role as the Lakers’ primary engine. He led the NBA with an average of 33.4 points per game, along with 8.7 assists, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.6 steals. In his last return to Dallas, Doncic torched his former team with 7-of-10 shooting from three-point range, leading the Lakers to a 15-point win. Pundits predicted another monster performance, with betting lines setting his over/under at 33.5 points and 3.5 made threes. "There may not be many headlines surrounding Luka Doncic’s return to Big D today, but that’s exactly when the Los Angeles Lakers superstar is likely to remind the Dallas Mavericks what they traded away," observed Covers.com.

Across the court, Dallas was adjusting to life without its former star. The Mavericks were still missing Kyrie Irving, who tore his ACL in March 2025 and had yet to play this season. Anthony Davis, acquired in the same blockbuster deal, was sidelined with a hand injury. But hope was alive in the form of rookie sensation Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 draft pick, who was averaging 18.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. Naji Marshall had also stepped up, averaging 18.9 points over the last 10 contests. Just two nights earlier, Marshall had exploded for 30 points and nine assists in a win over Golden State, with Flagg adding 21 points and 11 boards. Max Christie and Dwight Powell had also chipped in, showing Dallas’s depth despite the injury bug.

The Mavericks’ injury list was long: Daniel Gafford (ankle), Dereck Lively II (foot, out for season), Kyrie Irving (knee), Dante Exum (knee, out for season), and Anthony Davis (hand) were all out. The Lakers, meanwhile, were missing Austin Reaves (calf) and Adou Thiero (knee). These absences forced both teams to dig deep into their rotations, testing the resilience of their supporting casts.

Statistically, the matchup promised fireworks. The Mavericks averaged 117.2 points, 46.8 rebounds, and 26.5 assists per game over their last 10 outings, shooting a sizzling 49.3% from the field. Their opponents managed 112.0 points per game in that span. The Lakers, meanwhile, averaged 111.8 points, 41.5 rebounds, and 24.7 assists while shooting 47.9%. Defensively, both teams had vulnerabilities, with the Lakers allowing 113.4 points per game and the Mavericks giving up 116.6 on average this season. The over/under for the contest was set at 233.5 points, reflecting expectations for a high-scoring affair.

Team trends also favored Los Angeles. The Lakers had won their last three meetings with Dallas and were 19-12 against Western Conference opponents. They had an unblemished 5-0 record in games decided by fewer than four points—a testament to their clutch play. Dallas, on the other hand, was 11-18 against the West and 7-10 in games decided by double digits. But the Mavericks’ recent surge, especially at home, suggested they could be peaking at just the right time.

With so many stars on display, it was hard to predict who would steal the spotlight. LeBron James, still defying Father Time, was averaging 22.5 points per game and 22.4 over his last 10. DeAndre Ayton contributed 13.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per contest, providing much-needed muscle in the paint. For Dallas, Cooper Flagg’s all-around game and Naji Marshall’s scoring punch were keys to keeping pace with the Lakers’ firepower.

As tip-off approached, fans debated whether Doncic’s emotions would fuel a scoring explosion or if the Mavericks’ young core would rise to the occasion. Would the Lakers extend their dominance, or would Dallas’s home streak continue? Could Cooper Flagg deliver a signature moment in his rookie campaign? And how would the absence of so many key players shape the flow of the game?

With the action underway, one thing was certain: this wasn’t just another regular season game. It was a statement night for both franchises—one looking to prove its championship mettle, the other eager to show it could thrive after a seismic roster shakeup. The Western Conference playoff race is heating up, and every win matters.

As the NBA’s Rivalry Week draws to a close, fans everywhere are glued to their screens, watching to see if Luka Doncic can once again haunt his former team, or if Dallas’s new era will take another step forward. The story is still unfolding in Dallas, and all eyes remain on the American Airlines Center as the latest chapter in this heated rivalry is written.