Los Angeles Lakers superstar point guard Luka Dončić delivered an unforgettable performance on Wednesday night during his highly-anticipated return to Dallas. This game marked his first appearance since being traded in a stunning blockbuster deal back in February. Dončić showcased his incredible skills by scoring 45 points, tying his season high, while shooting an impressive 16-of-28 from the field. His performance also included seven three-pointers, eight rebounds, six assists, and four steals, leading the Lakers to a convincing 112-97 victory over the Mavericks.
This game was significant for Dončić, as it was his 46th career 40-point game and helped the Lakers clinch a playoff berth. The fans at American Airlines Center erupted in cheers, giving him a standing ovation as he exited the game with just one minute and 34 seconds left on the clock. Dončić responded by clapping to the crowd while fans chanted his name, “Luka! Luka! Luka!”
The Mavericks honored Dončić, who was the face of the franchise for over six seasons and led Dallas to the 2024 NBA Finals, with a heartfelt two-minute pregame video during player introductions. Before the video began, Dončić requested a towel, and as the tribute played, he was visibly emotional. After the video concluded, he wiped away tears before joining his teammates, receiving another standing ovation from the crowd, which clearly missed their beloved star.
Among the attendees was Mavericks legend and Basketball Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki, who had previously guided the franchise to its only NBA title in 2011. Following the game, Dončić expressed his feelings about the tribute, stating, “Everybody saw the way I reacted to the video, all these fans, I really appreciate it, all the teammates I had, everybody had my back.” He added, “I’m happy. I love these fans. I love this city, but it’s time to move on.”
When reflecting on his impressive 45-point performance, Dončić admitted he was unsure how he managed to play so well on such an emotional night. “When I was watching that video, I was like, ‘There’s no way I’m playing this game,’ but you know all my teammates had my back. They were really supporting me, so I really appreciate that,” he remarked. “I came as a young kid here with 18, and I know this type of NBA, and that made me feel like home and it’s just a lot of great, great memories.”
Aside from his stellar offensive production, Dončić highlighted the joy of returning to Dallas, stating that he cherished being able to sleep in his own bed and reconnect with the fans who supported him for six-and-a-half years.
Dončić came out strong at the start of the game, scoring an impressive 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting in the first half, which included six three-pointers in just 18 minutes. This performance helped propel the Lakers to a narrow 60-57 lead at halftime, marking Dončić’s first 30-point half as a member of the Lakers.
In his first matchup against his former team in February, Dončić recorded a triple-double with 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists, contributing to the Lakers' 107-99 home victory. Despite Dončić’s success, the Mavericks’ fan base remains frustrated with the franchise's leadership for trading their favorite superstar. The team's general manager, Nico Harrison, faced significant backlash, with crowd chants of “Fire Nico! Fire Nico!” echoing throughout the arena.
Meanwhile, Lakers' star Anthony Davis, a 10-time All-Star and 2020 NBA champion, faced his former team for the first time since the trade. Davis contributed 13 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists in 33 minutes during the loss. Fans at the game received shirts that read, “Thanks for Everything” in Slovenian, with many sporting Dončić’s number 77 jersey. Notably, the average ticket price for Wednesday’s game was $404, the highest for a regular-season home game since at least 2010.
With this victory, the Lakers improved their record to 49-31 and will next host the Houston Rockets. Meanwhile, the Mavericks, now at 38-42, will face the Toronto Raptors at home on Friday, as they look to regain momentum after losing their beloved superstar.
