Luka Dončić’s return to Dallas was nothing short of dramatic. For the first time since his trade to the Los Angeles Lakers, the five-time All-Star returned to the American Airlines Center—but this time, he wasn’t wearing a Mavericks jersey. Instead, Dončić torched his former team with a stunning 45-point performance, leading the Lakers to a 112-97 victory that pushed them closer to clinching the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference.
The Emotional Return: Dončić Reflects on His Mavericks Legacy
For Dončić, the game was a bittersweet moment. Despite his dominant performance on the court, the weight of the emotional atmosphere was undeniable. As the Mavericks played a tribute video during the starting lineup introductions, Dončić struggled to hold back tears, trying to hide his emotions with a towel. The fans in Dallas showed their appreciation with a standing ovation, a gesture that highlighted the bond between the player and the city.
After the game, Dončić expressed his gratitude to the Dallas fan base but also emphasized that it was time for him to move on. “Everybody saw me, saw the way I reacted to the video,” he told Lisa Salters during the post-game interview. “I really appreciate it, man. All the teammates I had, everybody had my back. I’m just happy. I love these fans. I love this city. But it’s time to move on.”
Reflecting on his time in Dallas, Dončić noted how much he had grown since joining the Mavericks as an 18-year-old rookie. “I came as a young kid here, 18, and I didn’t know what to expect from the NBA. They made me feel at home. Just a lot of great, great memories.” But despite the warmth and fond memories, Dončić acknowledged that his focus is now on the future with the Lakers.
A Scintillating Performance: Dončić’s Impact on the Game
Dončić’s on-court performance was equally remarkable. Scoring 31 points in the first half alone, he was the driving force behind the Lakers’ victory. The Mavericks, who had once relied on Dončić to lead them, found themselves helpless as he poured in key baskets in the final quarter, securing the win for Los Angeles. His 45-point game was his best performance since joining the Lakers, and it wasn’t lost on anyone watching.
Despite the brilliance of Dončić’s performance, his Lakers coach, JJ Redick, joked that he was hoping for more. “I thought he was gonna get 50,” Redick said sarcastically after the game. “I was disappointed.” While 45 points might not have broken any records, it was more than enough to send a message to both the Mavericks and their fans. If there was any lingering doubt about Dončić’s talent and what he meant to the franchise, his performance made it crystal clear.
LeBron James Weighs in on Dončić’s Emotional Return
LeBron James, who has seen his fair share of superstar returns, offered his own reflections on the emotional moment. Having been through the highs and lows of returning to former teams—both as a villain and a hero—James knew exactly what Dončić was feeling. “Super dope, super happy to be a part of that moment,” James said. “Obviously, you saw the emotions on Luka’s face. It was great, it was an unbelievable moment, something I’ll probably never forget.”
James praised Dončić for his journey, noting that the young star had grown from a promising rookie into a full-fledged superstar. “You know the kid had almost seven amazing seasons here,” James continued. “He was from a kid to a man, and for all of those moments to all come together today, it was pretty cool.”
For James, witnessing Dončić’s return was a reminder of how far the young star had come since his arrival in Dallas.
Mavericks Coach Jason Kidd’s Controversial Babe Ruth Comparison
As if the night wasn’t filled with enough drama, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd made an eyebrow-raising comparison between Dončić and baseball legend Babe Ruth. Kidd, in an attempt to contextualize the emotional weight of the moment, referenced the famous Yankees player: “Someone compared it to Babe Ruth,” he said. “Which is kind of cool.”
The comparison, however, felt misplaced. If anything, the parallel seemed to highlight the Mavericks’ role as the team that gave away their star player, rather than the team that took him in. The comparison didn’t sit well with many Mavericks fans, who are still reeling from the trade that sent Dončić to the Lakers.
The analogy might have worked if it had been flipped, with the Lakers being the “Yankees” and the Mavericks the “Red Sox.” The Mavericks gave up Dončić, while the Lakers now have him, but that wasn’t the message Kidd intended to convey. Still, the comparison underscores the emotional stakes of Dončić’s return.
In the end, Dončić’s return to Dallas was one of mixed emotions. The Mavericks’ star, who had brought so much promise to the franchise, showed Dallas fans exactly why they miss him. But for Dončić, it was a final chapter in his journey with the Mavericks. As the Lakers prepare for the playoffs, the young superstar is ready to start a new chapter, leaving Dallas—and the memories of his time with the Mavericks—behind. For fans, though, it’ll be hard not to remember that painful 45-point reminder of what could have been.