Luka Doncic is gearing up for his first game against the Dallas Mavericks since being traded, and all signs point to him being in full beast mode.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Doncic has been hearing the chatter surrounding his exit from Dallas, including criticism about his conditioning, and it has only fueled him.
“A source told me that yesterday, Luka’s demeanor at practice was normal Luka—smiling, competing, having fun,” the source told me. JJ Redick said that he thinks Luka will be fine.”
“He said, ‘Obviously, it’s gonna be a bit of a weird experience with the trade happening just about three weeks ago and going up against his former teammates, but he really believes that Luka is in a good place.'”
“Dorian Finney-Smith, who played with Luka in both Dallas and now LA, said that he knows Luka’s gonna be excited and that he wants Luka, as his teammate, to know that the entire locker room has his back.”
“And as for Luka having any kind of ill will or hurt feelings over some of the things said about him on his way out of Dallas—comments about his weight and conditioning—I’m told that a source close to Luka said, ‘A beast has woken inside of him,’ hearing some of that chatter and upping his motivation level.”
This added fire in Luka Doncic’s game couldn’t come at a better time for the Los Angeles Lakers, who are starting to click with their new-look roster.
Since joining the Lakers, Doncic has shown glimpses of his usual brilliance but has also taken time to adjust after missing over a month due to injury.
However, his performance in the Lakers’ recent blowout win over the Denver Nuggets—a dominant 32-point, 10-rebound, 7-assist outing—signaled that he is rounding into form.
That should be a major concern for the Mavericks, who will face an extremely motivated Doncic for the first time since the blockbuster trade.
The emotional weight of this game cannot be understated. Doncic spent his entire NBA career in Dallas before being unexpectedly traded.
While he has taken the high road in public comments, he has undoubtedly noticed the remarks about his conditioning and work ethic from Mavericks insiders. His response? Let his game do the talking.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick acknowledged the challenge of facing a former team but expressed confidence in Doncic’s ability to handle it.
Even Doncic’s Lakers teammates recognize the extra motivation he has heading into this matchup. Dorian Finney-Smith, who played alongside Doncic in Dallas and now shares a locker room with him in L.A., made it clear that the team has his back.
Beyond the personal storyline, this game is significant for the Lakers’ playoff positioning. At 34-21 and sitting fourth in the Western Conference, the Lakers are looking to continue their climb in the standings.
Doncic’s continued integration into the team’s system alongside LeBron James will be critical in determining just how dangerous L.A. can be down the stretch.
The Mavericks, meanwhile, have had their ups and downs since the trade and are still adjusting to their new core. Facing Doncic in a Lakers uniform will be an emotional moment for the Dallas fanbase, but it will also serve as a test to see whether they made the right decision in moving on from their franchise player.
Tonight, Doncic gets his first chance to prove to the Mavericks what they lost. With an awakened beast inside him and a team that fully supports him, expect fireworks when he takes the court.
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