LOS ANGELES — Luka Doncic recorded 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists against his former team, the Dallas Mavericks, in his debut game with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers claimed a 107-99 victory on Tuesday night.
In his first outing since a significant trade that exchanged him for Anthony Davis, Doncic achieved his inaugural triple-double as a Laker, marking an emotional event for the Slovenian athlete. The trade, which occurred three weeks prior, came as a surprise to him. Throughout the game, Doncic exchanged warm gestures with his former teammates, yet occasionally cast meaningful glances toward the Mavericks’ bench. Despite struggling with shooting, hitting only 6 of 17 attempts, Doncic concluded a stellar playmaking session with an assist to LeBron James, leading to a decisive layup with just 32 seconds on the clock.
James provided substantial support, scoring 16 out of his 27 points in the final quarter to secure the Lakers’ third consecutive win, marking their 13th victory in the last 16 games.
For the Mavericks, Kyrie Irving led with 35 points, while Klay Thompson contributed 22 points.
Fans at the game made their feelings clear, expressing gratitude toward Dallas General Manager Nico Harrison, much to the dismay of some Mavericks fans who opposed the trade. Chants of “Thank you, Nico!” echoed from the stands at the Los Angeles venue.
Takeaways:
For the Mavericks, Max Christie, who was included in the trade package with Davis, tallied all his 10 points in the first half. The Lakers had initially drafted Christie.
As for the Lakers, James displayed determination not to let Doncic’s emotional night end in a loss.
Key Moment:
Although Anthony Davis was sidelined due to a groin injury, he received a heartfelt standing ovation. The Lakers showcased a tribute video celebrating Davis in the first quarter, prompting Davis to acknowledge the fans by waving both arms back at them.
Key Stat:
Doncic’s latest triple-double stands as the 81st of his career, placing him seventh in NBA history rankings and marking his fourth this season. His last triple-double for the Mavericks dated back to December 15.
Up Next:
Both the Mavericks and the Lakers have games scheduled for Thursday. The Mavericks will face the Hornets at home, while the Lakers take on the Timberwolves.
