Luka Doncic hits 45 points in his first game in Dallas since being traded to the Los Angeles.
Itโs rare for a home crowd to cheer the visiting team, but Luka Doncicโs return to Dallas was no ordinary night.
Just days before Februaryโs trade deadline, the Mavericks shocked the NBA by sending their 26-year-old superstar to the Lakersโa move that outraged fans and sparked backlash toward GM Nico Harrison.
On Wednesday, Doncic played his first game back in Dallas since the trade. The arena was filled with fans in both his old Mavs and new Lakers jerseys, many chanting โFire Nicoโ in protest.
Despite the emotion in the air, Doncic delivered a dominant performance, scoring a game-high 45 points to lead the Lakers to a 112-97 win. It was a powerful return for one of the leagueโs brightest starsโand a night Dallas wonโt soon forget
The Mavericks pay tribute to Luka Donฤiฤ
While the Mavericksโ decision to trade Luka Doncic remains heavily criticized, they handled his return to Dallas with undeniable grace. The organization made sure his first game back as a Laker was met with respect and appreciation.
Every seat in the arena was draped with a T-shirt reading โHvala za vse,โ which translates from Slovenian to โthank you for everything.โ It was a thoughtful nod to Doncicโs heritage and impact on the franchise.
Before tip-off, during the starting lineup announcements, the Mavericks played a tribute video showcasing some of Doncicโs most iconic moments in a Dallas jersey. The emotional gesture clearly resonatedโmoving Doncic to tears in front of the crowd that once called him their own.
Luka Doncic ‘DESTROYS’ his old team
Luka delivered a dazzling performance against his former team, putting up 45 points on 16-of-28 shooting, including 7-of-10 from beyond the arc. He also added 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals in a game that showed exactly why he’s one of the best in the league.
From the opening tip, Doncic was locked in. By halftime, Doncic had racked up 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting in just 19 minutesโmarking the 10th time in his career heโs scored 30 or more in a single half.
Though his scoring slowed in the second half, he continued to lead effectively, securing both a Lakers win and an unforgettable showing for the fans in Dallas.
