Doncic’s Odd Mavericks Reunion: Triple-Double Leads to W

LOS ANGELES — Luka Doncic found himself at a loss for words despite being fluent in four languages as he faced his former team, the Dallas Mavericks, with the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night. Just over three weeks after the unexpected trade from Dallas, Doncic stepped onto the Lakers’ court, grappling with mixed feelings of betrayal and uncertainty that played out in a game marked by inconsistency, brilliance, and anxiety.

“It was just a lot of emotions,” Doncic confessed. “Honestly, I can’t even describe it. Sometimes I didn’t even know what I was doing. I’m just relieved it’s over.” Indeed, his performance mirrored his emotional turmoil.

Doncic managed a triple-double in his new purple and gold jersey, but his shooting was erratic, missing 11 out of 17 shots, and he struggled from beyond the arc. His playmaking skills shone through with a series of exceptional passes and crucial defensive maneuvers, yet he managed a mere two points during a critical fourth quarter.

“It was surreal,” Doncic remarked. “Moments confused me. But I’m happy we came out on top.”

Fortunately, Doncic shared the court with LeBron James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, whose leadership was pivotal in ensuring the Lakers’ victory. In a commanding fourth quarter, James scored 16 of his total 27 points, capitalizing on feeds from Doncic to turn the tide in the Lakers’ favor.

Doncic closed the night with 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists, marking the 81st triple-double of his career. His teammates, motivated by the significance of this matchup for Doncic, rallied around him to make the night less jarring.

“We all saw how meaningful this was for him,” James acknowledged. “We just wanted to support him in every way. We knew what had happened recently. I’m thrilled we managed to make some key plays towards the end. He might not admit it, but it must have meant a lot to him.”

From the onset, Doncic was instrumental in the Lakers’ offense against the Mavericks. While he missed his first shot, he made an immediate impact by blocking one during Dallas’ initial possession, swiftly scoring and assisting on a James three-pointer.

Doncic’s adrenaline was evident when he received an early technical foul for a passionate protest. Two teammates rushed to his side to defuse the situation.

The Mavericks’ general manager, Nico Harrison, who orchestrated the trade, was present at the game. However, Doncic claimed he didn’t notice. Meanwhile, the Lakers’ supporters repeatedly chanted “Thank you Nico!” in gratitude for the trade.

Also present was Mark Cuban, the former majority owner of the Mavericks. From his courtside seat, he jokingly heckled Doncic, who playfully responded, “Shut up, Mark!”

“It was unusual but enjoyable,” reflected Kyrie Irving, Doncic’s close friend and Dallas guard. “It felt like old practice days going up against each other. Watching the fans support him and him hitting those tough shots was familiar and strange at the same time. It was a fun contest.”

Doncic, previously considered untouchable due to his exceptional talent at just 25, stunned the league after leading the Mavericks to the NBA Finals last season. Harrison saw it differently, and the Lakers eagerly forfeited a championship-caliber big man for a promising future with Doncic.

The game might have taken an even more dramatic turn if Anthony Davis were available. However, the 10-time All-Star is sidelined for two weeks with a groin injury sustained in his first appearance with the Mavericks. Yet, he attended and received a warm welcome, with the Lakers honoring him via a tribute video.

The Lakers also saw the return of Max Christie, who previously rose from second-round pick to starter before the trade and contributed 10 points in the opening half.

Anticipation mounts for their next encounter on April 9 in Dallas, where fans have vocally opposed Harrison and the Mavericks’ ownership’s decisions, setting the stage for an even more intense matchup.