Gary A. Vasquez/Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic played in his first against against the Dallas Mavericks since the team made the shocking decision to trade him away. Not only did the Lakers get the better of the Mavs in the game, but Doncic himself also balled out.
In the Los Angeles Lakers 107-99 win over the Dallas Mavericks (the spread was 8.5, by the way) to improve their record to 35-21 on the season, Luka Doncic put up a triple-double as he posted 19 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists.
The five-time All-NBA first-time member was clearly charged up by his emotions, as he stared down the Mavericks bench and general manager Nico Harrison a handful of times throughout the night.
During one of those particularly intense moments, the camera panned to FORMER Mavericks majority owner Mark Cuban — who sold controlling stake of the team in December 2023, ultimately paving the way for the Doncic trade, which he says would’ve never happened under his stewardship — looking like he was experiencing a combination of disbelief and pain.
The look on Mark Cuban after this 3 by Luka 👀 🍿 pic.twitter.com/5a7SBIbolZ
— Famouslos32 (@famouslos32) February 26, 2025
“It was just a lot of emotions and not much sleep. I can’t even explain [it]. It was a different game. … Sometimes I don’t know what I was doing. And I’m just glad it’s over, honestly,” Doncic said of the emotionally intense matchup.
“It definitely will help me [being past this game]. It’s definitely going to help in the long [run]… The closure is going to take a while, I think. It’s not ideal. But like I said, I’m glad this game is over. There was a lot of emotions. But we go little by little, and every day is better.”
Mark Cuban shakes hands with Luka Doncic’s father and agent Bill Duffy during timeout at Lakers vs. Mavericks pic.twitter.com/Bvln4qD5Vn
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) February 26, 2025
Since trading for Doncic — which cost them Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first round pick — the Lakers have posted a 7-2 record (as of February 26), which is the third best record in the Western Conference over that stretch. As the NBA season enters March, the Lakers (+1600) have the sixth best betting odds to win the NBA title behind the Boston Celtics (+185), Oklahoma City Thunder (+210), Cleveland Cavaliers (+650), Denver Nuggets (+1200), and New York Knicks (+1500).