On Tuesday night, Luka Dončić faced the Dallas Mavericks for the first time since his controversial trade to the Los Angeles Lakers. The matchup was highly anticipated, marking one of the biggest transactions in NBA history. Despite the emotional undercurrents, Dončić's performance was less than stellar in terms of scoring. "I couldn't make nothing today," Dončić joked, acknowledging an unlucky night on the court. One of his best shots—a stepback, end-of-the-shot-clock 3-pointer—was annulled because he stepped out of bounds. He ended the game with 19 points on 6-of-17 shooting.
Despite his shooting woes, Dončić contributed significantly in other areas, helping the Lakers secure a 107-99 victory. He recorded 15 rebounds, 12 assists, three steals, and two blocks, achieving his first triple-double as a Laker. This performance places him in exclusive company, as he becomes only the second Laker—after Kareem Abdul-Jabbar—to finish a game with such a stat line. His defensive efforts were noteworthy, as Los Angeles maintained a defensive rating of 105.8 points per possession with him on the floor.
Dončić's journey with the Lakers has been a learning experience. The numbers aren't as consistently impressive as they were in Dallas, but he's gradually finding his role. Playing alongside stars like LeBron James and Austin Reaves aids his offensive adjustment. James led all scorers with 27 points, including a crucial 16 in the fourth quarter, helping the Lakers withstand a Dallas comeback. Since Dončić joined the Lakers, James has scored 53 fourth-quarter points to Dončić's 13, a temporary imbalance as Dončić regains form after a calf injury.
Dončić acknowledges the need to balance late-game scoring responsibilities with James. "I think it will go both ways," he stated, emphasizing that game circumstances will dictate their roles. As Dončić continues to acclimate, he will relieve the 40-year-old James of some scoring duties. Meanwhile, Reaves is averaging a career-best 19.2 points per game, easing the scoring burden on Dončić.
This matchup against his former team was emotionally charged for Dončić. On a night when he struggled as a scorer, his teammates stepped up. "I think in the first quarter, second quarter, I didn't know what was happening," Dončić admitted postgame. Despite the challenges, the Lakers secured another significant win against a Western Conference rival. "I can't wait to go to sleep honestly," he said, relieved the game was behind him.
