It’s been over two months since Luka Doncic was traded by the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers. It’s a deal that still confounds many around the NBA but one that everyone’s made their peace with, as Doncic has already represented the Lakers in more games this season than he did Dallas.
Doncic will have his first game in front of his former home fans in Dallas, who’ve been protesting in the streets since he was traded. He reflected on the emotional weight of this first visit to the city he assumed would be his home as long as he was in the NBA.
“Of course, it’s gonna be a lot of emotions. I don’t know what to expect. I don’t know how I’m going to feel. I’m looking forward to being back in Dallas, seeing the fans, seeing my teammates… Ex-teammates. It’s going to be very emotional for me for sure.”
“Honestly, I don’t know about closure. You know it’s obviously a lot. Like I said, I’m excited to be back here. I know the fans can appreciate me being back here, so, honestly, I don’t know. I don’t know how I’m going to feel. But I’m excited to be back.”
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Doncic had his first game against the Mavericks in February. He put up 19 points (6-17 FG), 15 rebounds, and 12 assists in a 107-99 win.
That game didn’t have Anthony Davis on the court, but he will be playing tomorrow. It’ll be his first game against the Lakers since they traded him away. Thankfully, he’ll also be coming off a two-day break in the Mavs schedule, while the Lakers will be coming off a back-to-back.
Unfortunately, Davis won’t have the home support he’ll be hoping for, as the fans will definitely be on the side of Doncic. Usually, homecoming players who leave for rival teams are despised by fans. But Luka had no choice in this move, as Nico Harrison decided on his back.
Mavericks fans continue to pine for Doncic as their franchise’s future seems to have crumbled around them since the trade. Multiple players have been hurt, with Kyrie Irving tearing his ACL and casting doubts over the team’s chances of success next season as well.
It’s going from bad to worse in Dallas, as they’re now watching Doncic average 27.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.6 assists on a Lakers team charging to reach 50 wins and secure a Playoff spot. The Mavericks will hope to fight into the Playoffs from the 9-10 Play-In Tournament game, a long fall from grace for the reigning NBA Finalists.
