Luka Doncic returned to Dallas’ American Airlines Center for the first time since being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers by the Dallas Mavericks. While Doncic had a triumphant return by spearheading a 112-97 win, this game meant a lot more than the win, which guaranteed the Lakers a spot in the top six for the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
After Doncic was traded away, multiple reports came out about the Mavericks being unhappy with Luka’s work ethic. These were seemingly confirmed in follow-up public statements by Mavericks Governor Patrick Dumont.
So, ahead of his return, Gatorade released an ad with Doncic, which seemed to take a shot at the Mavs’ criticism of how hard he works.
“No love lost. Only sweat.”
Luka takes a shot at Mavs organization in new Gatorade ad 👀 pic.twitter.com/wgtaZuZDIW
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) April 9, 2025
Some have even suggested that the towel around his shoulder has been strategically placed to resemble the word ‘traitor.’ That’d be a neat touch but is unlikely and most definitely, unconfirmed.
Doncic put up a phenomenal 45 points (16-28 FG), eight rebounds, six assists, and four steals in the win. He became the first player since Wilt Chamberlain to score 45 points for and against the same team in the same season. He matched his season-high in points and set a new high for himself on the Lakers.
The Slovenian guard made it clear he wants to move on from his time with the Mavericks, leaving this chapter fully behind after their final encounter in a troubled season.
“Everybody saw me the way I reacted to the video. So many emotions. Brought tears to my eyes. All my teammates had my back. I don’t know. I appreciate it. All the teammates I had. Everyone had my back. I love these fans, I love this city. But it’s time to move on.”
Knowing the kind of offensive outbursts Doncic is capable of, he’ll surely break his Lakers-high sometime next season. The performance also means that he’s scored over 30 points against all 30 NBA teams now. Funnily, his lowest score against an opposing team is 35 points, which he scored against the Lakers.
The Lakers have just two games remaining in the regular season and will be looking to lock up the No. 3 seed with another win. Meanwhile, the Mavericks have tumbled down the wrong side of the standings since trading Doncic.
Outside of various uncontrollable injuries slowing their momentum, the team has just not been good enough to be competitive since losing Doncic. A roster that was built around his needs no longer has an elite point guard, especially with Kyrie Irving’s injury.
Trotting out Anthony Davis as a gesture when he’s not 100% shows that the Mavericks are scrapping at every bit of competitive basketball they can produce. They’re locked into the NBA Play-In Tournament after the Phoenix Suns‘ fate as mathematically eliminated was sealed when they lost to the OKC Thunder without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander last night.
The Mavericks thankfully control their pick in the 2025 Draft Lottery, but their odds of jumping up are slim. They’ll likely have the 11th or 12th pick in the Draft if they lose in the Play-In.
Maybe they can find a generational piece in a stacked draft, but it’s clear that Doncic doesn’t need to throw shots at the Mavericks anymore. They have far worse troubles to deal with.
