The Los Angeles Lakers walked out of the American Airlines Center with a 112-97 win over the Dallas Mavericks last night. It was arguably one of the most anticipated regular-season games of the year after Luka Doncic was shockingly traded by the Mavericks to the Lakers in February.
It was a very emotional game, as seen by Doncic breaking down into tears while the Mavericks played a tribute video for the Slovenian superstar. His new head coach JJ Redick reflected on how Luka handled the emotions of the game while delivering his best performance as a Laker yet.
“Let me start by saying, the moment with the tribute video and him sitting by himself and getting to actually live that and live in the moment and allowing himself to be vulnerable. His teammates supported him. Some of the teammates and coaches got emotional. It was a beautiful moment. The video was great.”
“His ability to then go perform, lights turn on, he’s teary-eyed still as we walk out on the court for the tip ball. To have the emotional resolve to then put on that kind of performance is superhuman. I think all his teammates know that. I think all his teammates can empathize with what he just went through over the last couple of months.”
Luka ended the night with 45 points (16-28 FG), eight rebounds, six assists, and four steals. He could’ve easily reached 50 points, given that he had scored 31 in the first half.
This wasn’t a surprise to many Mavs fans, as Luka once again thrived on the home court of a Western Conference rival. The only difference is that the crowd wasn’t filled with boos, but cheerful adoration instead.
The only person getting booed was Mavericks General Manager Nico Harrison, who once again heard calls asking for his dismissal yet again. As Doncic now implores everyone to move on from his chapter in Dallas, he will be happy to set a new Lakers high and tie his season high with the performance he had last night.
Luka Doncic Still Loves His Former Teammates
Even though Doncic’s association with the Mavericks has come to an official conclusion, it doesn’t mean he can just abandon the players he played alongside. Doncic made it clear after this game that his former Mavericks teammates are his brothers for life, especially after the wars they had last season on their NBA Finals run.
“Those are my brothers. I know we’re not on the same team now, but I always have contact with them. We went through wars together. It was nice to see everyone.”
There isn’t a former teammate of Doncic’s who’s ever had anything bad to say about him. Even when Kristaps Porzingis reflected on his failed partnership with Doncic, he took accountability for his faults in that dynamic as well.
It seems like Doncic is always loved by his teammates, as evidenced by the words of most of his former teammates, even Quentin Grimes, who he just spent half a season with. His absence in Dallas looms large, but he’s filled his heart with his new Lakers teammates.
He has a few former allies in LA with him, such as Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris, and Dorian Finney-Smith. He’s also made new ones like LeBron James, so he’s likely going to continue fighting by the sword for the men he shares a locker room with.
