Luka Dončić gets his revenge vs. Mavericks, but ‘closure is going to take a while’
LOS ANGELES — Luka Dončić could easily claim that Tuesday’s game was a moment of closure, that facing and defeating his former teammates in Dallas Mavericks jerseys was enough to wash away the sting of being let go, of feeling deceived.
The chants of “Thank you, Nico” from Lakers fans might have been enough to make Dončić feel like he truly belonged—though the timing, with Anthony Davis receiving a warm reception during his tribute video, added an element of awkwardness.
But things aren’t that simple—for either side. And it likely won’t be any different in a few weeks when the Los Angeles Lakers play their first-ever home game in Dallas, marking Dončić’s return since the trade.
“Closure is going to take some time, I think,” Dončić admitted. “I don’t know, it’s just not ideal. Like I said, I’m glad this game is over. There were a lot of emotions. But it’ll fade little by little. Every day gets better.”
Whatever this adjustment period entails, it won’t be a quick process. Fortunately, the Lakers have time on their side. They’ve been steadily developing a strong defensive identity this season, working to optimize LeBron James’ remaining peak years, and now they must shift gears to integrate Dončić’s extraordinary skill set before the playoffs arrive in two months.
Luka Dončić’s triple-double is likely just the beginning of many standout performances in a Lakers uniform. His energy set the tone early for Los Angeles in their matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, while LeBron James closed out the night with a strong fourth-quarter push.
The Lakers secured a determined 107-99 victory at Crypto.com Arena in what was an emotionally charged atmosphere. Much of the anticipation in the building revolved around Dončić, with fans and analysts alike expecting him to deliver a statement performance—one that could serve as an outlet for the frustration, speculation, and sense of betrayal he has endured in recent weeks.
However, almost predictably, Dončić appeared to be running on an overwhelming surge of adrenaline. His excitement was evident long before tip-off, as he was even spotted doing push-ups during his pregame shooting routine. Meanwhile, Mavericks executive Nico Harrison watched calmly from the opposite side of the court, unfazed by the storm of emotions surrounding the game.
Harrison wasn’t exactly keeping a low profile. The Mavericks’ top executive stood out in a striking electric blue suit, seemingly unfazed by the possibility of Dončić confronting him with a string of colorful expletives—no matter the language.
Despite the tension, the anticipated fireworks never fully erupted. However, the emotional intensity was undeniable, draining both teams by the final moments of the game. The Mavericks even came close to pulling off a shocking upset before falling short.
LeBron James, having experienced nearly every kind of high-pressure environment in his career, remained composed. But unlike Dončić, he has never been cast aside by a franchise—he’s typically the one making the decisions to leave. Because of that, there was only so much he could relate to.
All James and his Lakers teammates could do was surround Dončić with support, helping him keep his emotions in check so he wouldn’t be consumed by resentment toward his former team. Even head coach J.J. Redick acknowledged the strangeness of the situation, but instead of shying away from it, he encouraged everyone to embrace the discomfort.
“I thought he managed it well,” Lakers coach J.J. Redick said. “It wasn’t his best shooting night, but he made a lot of plays. He was definitely amped up at the start, which was expected, but I think he settled in as the game went on.”
Apart from an early flash of emotion—where Dončić drained back-to-back shots and directed some words toward the Mavericks bench—he maintained his composure throughout the game. His stat line of 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists reflected more of a hardworking, blue-collar effort rather than the artistic brilliance Mavericks coach Jason Kidd had likened him to before tip-off, when he compared Dončić to a master painter like Picasso.
Dončić’s most satisfying moment came late in the game when he and LeBron James began reading each other effortlessly. At one point, Dončić drew a double-team in the post, allowing James to spot up and drain a three. Moments later, James set up Rui Hachimura for a layup to seal the game with just over a minute left—while Dončić, in a display of complete confidence, was casually facing the Mavericks bench, engaged in conversation as the play unfolded.
That’s the advantage of playing alongside James, who led the Lakers with 27 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter, while also grabbing 12 rebounds and dishing out three assists. But the benefit goes both ways—James no longer has to carry the offensive load for 35 minutes just to keep his team competitive.
For someone like Austin Reaves, the experience must have felt almost surreal. One moment, he was receiving a perfectly placed over-the-head pass from Dončić at the three-point line, and the next, James was just a pass away, allowing Reaves the freedom to attack a weaker perimeter defender. It’s an ideal setup—efficiently scoring 20 points on just 12 shots.
Meanwhile, James has turned up his intensity on both ends of the floor. Whether by coincidence or just timing, he has been playing at an elite defensive level. Redick even noted that James has performed at an All-Defense standard for the past six weeks. The Lakers, in turn, have transformed into one of the league’s best defensive teams, posting a 107.8 defensive rating since mid-January.
“People have their own perceptions of him as a defender, but I watch him every night,” Redick said. “When teams try to target him in isolation, he doesn’t get scored on. He disrupts plays, he’s always in the right position, shifting, recovering. Some might think, at his age, he’s conserving energy—but that’s not the case. He’s been playing great defense for a while now.”
Dallas prides itself on defense, and even without Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford, and Dereck Lively II on the floor, the Mavericks managed to keep the game competitive when many expected a blowout. If Harrison is looking for vindication, it will have to come later—perhaps when Davis and Lively return healthy, ready to dominate on defense. In this league, defense still wins games, and having both versatility and size is a game-changer.
Kyrie Irving did everything he could to shoulder the offensive load, scoring 35 points, while a scoring burst from Klay Thompson brought the game to a tie midway through the fourth quarter. However, it was Dončić and James who ultimately took control to close out the night.
“JJ told us we needed to get organized. Once we do that, we have so many weapons,” Dončić said. “LeBron, at 40 years old, taking over the fourth quarter—it’s unbelievable. Watching it happen feels surreal.”
Despite his new surroundings, Dončić is still carrying the emotional weight of the trade. The business side of basketball hit him hard, and it’s clear the wounds haven’t fully healed. One can’t help but wonder if, beneath the pride and sense of betrayal, there’s a hint of regret—if the divide between him and those who decided to move on from him could have been mended.
His visible exhaustion suggests he hasn’t completely processed what happened, but perhaps no explanation would ever feel satisfying. After all, he believed he was worth more to the Mavericks than the decision they made.
Now, as a Laker, embraced by the team and its fanbase from the moment the trade was finalized, Dončić might find himself reassessing how he was treated in Dallas. Even the most self-assured individuals can’t help but second-guess things when faced with such a stark contrast.
Yet, his confidence is gradually rebuilding. The spotlight will only grow brighter, the expectations higher, and the stakes even greater.
