Luka Doncic’s first game back at American Airlines Center couldn’t have gone any better.
The Lakers star recorded a season-high 45 points, eight rebounds, six assists, four steals and seven three-pointer made in the Lakers’ 112-97 win over the Mavericks.
The win also meant that the Lakers clinched a playoff spot in the West. The NBA script writers couldn’t have done a better job, honestly.
The night was full of emotions for Luka, who could be seen crying at his tribute video before tip-off.
Luka crying at his Mavs tribute video is actually heartbreaking 😢💔
(via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/8Qtau6DKkB
— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) April 9, 2025
He thought he was going to be too emotional to play, he revealed after the game.
“I don’t know how I did it because when I was watching that video I was like, ‘There’s no way I’m playing this game,’ Luka said. “But all my teammates had my back. They were really supporting me, so I really appreciate that.”
He made it clear Dallas is going to be in his rear vision mirror.
“I love these fans, I love this city, but it’s time to move on,” Doncic said in his on-court interview.
Similar to what he said after his first matchup against the Mavs in LA, Luka just wanted to head to bed.
“I’m tired. I’m happy it’s over,” Doncic said. “Now I can get some sleep finally. It was an amazing experience.”
LeBron was grateful to be part of such a special moment for Luka and the Lakers as a whole.
“It was great. That was an unbelievable moment, something I will probably never forget.”
He also spoke about the team’s objective – having Luka’s back.
“That was our only concern, to support him and be there for him in whatever way we could be,” James said.
Dorian Finney-Smith, who played with Luka on the Mavs and now plays with him on the Lakers, touched on what it meant to see Luka get love from fans in his return to Dallas.
“Well deserved… I was sitting in that locker room when we were struggling, I would say tanking to get him,” Finney-Smith said. “And I saw the transformation back into being a winning culture due to him. Obviously I’d say I had a little part in that, but Luka being Luka, he brought the excitement back to Dallas.”
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