LOS ANGELES — In a highly anticipated matchup against his former team, Luka Dončić put on a masterclass performance, recording a triple-double to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 107-99 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena.
The contest marked Dončić’s first game against the Mavericks since his blockbuster trade to the Lakers earlier this month. Facing a Dallas squad still adjusting to the seismic roster shake-up, the Slovenian star silenced any doubts about his transition to Los Angeles, finishing with 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists.
“This one was emotional,” Dončić admitted postgame. “A lot of memories, a lot of friends on that side. But at the end of the day, I had a job to do.”
A Statement Performance
From the opening tip, Dončić looked in control, orchestrating the Lakers’ offense with his signature vision and court awareness. He played a key role in dictating the pace, frequently finding LeBron James in transition and setting up Anthony Davis—who remained in purple and gold after trade rumors swirled around him—with high-percentage opportunities in the paint.
James, still proving why he’s one of the game’s greatest at 39 years old, paced the Lakers with 27 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists. His connection with Dončić was on full display, none more evident than when Dončić lobbed a pinpoint alley-oop to James late in the fourth quarter, sealing the game’s momentum in favor of Los Angeles.
“He’s special,” James said of his new teammate. “You see the way he reads the game. It’s elite. He makes all of us better.”
Mavericks’ Resilience Falls Short
Despite the loss, Dallas did not go down without a fight. Kyrie Irving, now the focal point of the Mavericks’ offense, carried the load with a game-high 35 points, showcasing his signature shot-making ability with an array of tough finishes at the rim and deep three-pointers.
Newly acquired Klay Thompson added 22 points, including a key stretch in the fourth quarter that saw Dallas erase a double-digit deficit to tie the game at 91 apiece. However, the Lakers responded with a 16-8 run in the final minutes, fueled by Dončić’s steady playmaking and defensive stops from Davis and Jarred Vanderbilt.
“We battled,” Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said postgame. “We’re still figuring things out, but we showed a lot of fight. We’ll see them again.”
A Trade That Shook the League
The Dončić-for-Davis swap sent shockwaves through the NBA earlier this month. After years of leading the Mavericks, Dončić was suddenly on the move to Hollywood, with Davis heading the other way in a bid to give Dallas a more balanced two-way presence.
The decision to part ways with Dončić was met with mixed reactions in Dallas, where he had become the franchise’s centerpiece. Fans in attendance at Crypto.com Arena made their voices heard, with a large contingent still sporting Dončić’s old Mavericks jersey and offering standing ovations when he checked out late in the game.
Meanwhile, the Lakers now find themselves as legitimate title contenders, with Dončić fitting seamlessly alongside James and Davis.
What’s Next?
With the win, the Lakers improve to 35-21, climbing further up the Western Conference standings. Dončić’s continued adjustment to life in Los Angeles will be a storyline to watch, but if this performance was any indication, the Lakers have struck gold.
For Dallas, the loss drops them to 31-28, and while Irving’s individual brilliance is undeniable, the team must find ways to compensate for the playmaking void left by Dončić’s departure. The Mavericks’ next matchup will be another test as they take on the Denver Nuggets, while the Lakers look ahead to a showdown against the Phoenix Suns.
Sunday night was more than just another game—it was a statement. Luka Dončić didn’t just beat his former team; he showed why the Lakers made one of the boldest moves in franchise history.