In his return to Dallas, Luka Doncic received a warm welcome from the crowd and a heartfelt farewell tribute as he took to the court with the Los Angeles Lakers. Each seat in the arena displayed a T-shirt bearing the Slovenian phrase “Hvala za vse,” which translates to “thank you for everything.” This was a nod to Doncic’s impactful years with the Mavericks.
The emotional evening included a video montage that played before the Lakers faced off against his former team. Doncic scored an impressive 45 points, equaling his season-best performance, leading his team to a 112-97 victory and securing their playoff position. Reflecting on the tribute, Doncic shared, “Brought tears to my eyes. I came as a young kid here, was 18, and not knowing what to expect from NBA, and they made me feel like home.”
In a quiet moment on the bench, Doncic watched highlights from his career in Dallas, revisiting moments from his NBA rookie of the year season to his appearance in the NBA Finals. His emotions overcame him, and he had to wipe away tears, his eyes still red when he joined his teammates on the court. “I don’t know how I did it because when I was watching that video, I was like, ‘There’s no way I’m playing this game,’” Doncic admitted, crediting his teammates for their support.
The night was filled with emotion not only for Doncic but also for Mavericks fans who had cherished his presence in the team’s jersey for over five seasons. Chants of “Fire Nico!” resonated throughout the arena, targeting Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison, who orchestrated the trade that sent Doncic to the Lakers. The deal, which shocked fans, brought Anthony Davis to Dallas.
Despite the upset, Mavericks fans acknowledged Doncic’s return with a mix of gratitude and sadness, having held a mock funeral outside the American Airlines Center to protest the trade. Many spectators wore No. 77 jerseys, with Lakers colors and Mavericks colors—some even showed makeshift alterations expressing their allegiance to Doncic over the team.
Prior to playing in Dallas, Doncic had already faced off against the Mavericks in February, only weeks after the trade, where he recorded a triple-double in a Lakers win. His return to Dallas was marked by passion and nostalgia, highlighting his indelible impact on the team and the city.