Luka Dončić returned to the court on Tuesday night for his first game against the Dallas Mavericks since being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Slovenian superstar, whose departure left many fans shocked, put on quite the show, leading the Lakers to a 107-99 victory over his former team.
Dončić delivered his first triple-double as a Laker, accumulating 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists, showcasing his playmaking skills even on a night where he struggled with his shooting, going just 6-for-17.
After the game, he candidly expressed his mixed feelings. “I don’t know how to explain it,” Dončić told TNT. “First and second quarters, I didn’t know what was happening. It was just different. I can’t explain how it felt... I was hyped. You know how it is. But I couldn’t make (any shots) today. I’m just glad we got a win.”
The atmosphere at the Staples Center was electric, reflecting the emotional stakes involved. Before the game, Dončić warmly greeted his former teammates, but there were undoubtedly some moments when the weight of the trade loomed large, particularly when he faced Mavericks players during play.
The night also brought significant performances from other players. Lakers star LeBron James scored 27 points, with 16 coming during the intense fourth quarter where the match really heated up. Meanwhile, Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving accounted for 35 points, asserting his presence against the team’s former star.
Part of the intrigue was the palpable tension—a blend of excitement and anticipation from the crowd, which even turned vocal at one point, chanting “Thank you, Nico!” as Dončić took free throws. This was directed at Dallas general manager Nico Harrison, whose controversial trade of Dončić for Anthony Davis continues to stir mixed reactions from fans.
The game itself had its fair share of ups and downs. The Lakers took hold of the lead early through solid performances from Dončić and Austin Reaves, who was instrumental with timely shots. Despite Dallas’s shaky start, trailing by eight points at halftime, the Mavericks bounced back, with Irving leading the charge to slowly chip away at Los Angeles's lead.
The third quarter saw the Mavericks reduce the Lakers' lead to just three points, highlighting the back-and-forth nature of the matchup. Yet, Dončić managed to make plays—setting up teammates and showcasing his skill, connecting with Reaves for significant buckets, signaling the precision the Lakers valued from him now.
Dallas briefly surged back and tied the game at 91-91 late, showing fight and determination, especially with Irving finding his rhythm. Yet, the Lakers rallied again, with Dončić and James closing out the game on decisive plays, marking their territory and preventing any late-game comeback from the Mavericks.
This game not only served as Dončić’s inaugural showdown against his old colleagues, but it also represented the potential of the newly formed dynamic within the Lakers—a mix of experience and youthful prowess.
By sealing the game with assists and sharp late baskets, Dončić proved valuable, providing much-needed direction and playmaking to help the Lakers solidify their place as serious contenders.
Looking at standings, the Lakers improved their record to 8-2 over the last ten games, solidifying their playoff positioning, now fourth place in the Western Conference. For the Mavericks, the game offered tough lessons, needing to re-assess approaches following the tight loss—particularly with Irving stepping up but being unable to push beyond the Lakers’ closing strategy.
The significance of the night transcended beyond just points and wins; it epitomized the emotional weight of loyalty, rivalry, and the bond forged through the game. Luka Dončić's first encounter with the Mavs set the stage for what fans could only hope would be many more memorable moments to come as he now embraces his new chapter with the Lakers.