Luka Doncic scored 33 points and came within two assists of a triple-double as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Dallas Mavericks 116-110 on Saturday night, spoiling Doncic’s return to the arena where he spent the first seven seasons of his NBA career.
Doncic added eight rebounds and 11 assists in his second game back in Dallas since being traded to Los Angeles nearly one year ago – and his first since the firing of former Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison, who orchestrated the move.
Unlike his previous visit, there was no tribute video or emotional reception, but the significance of the moment remained evident.
“The significance of this will probably be there for the rest of his career,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said before the game. “This is where it started for him.”
LeBron James finished with 17 points, six rebounds and four assists on a relatively quiet night, while Rui Hachimura provided a boost off the bench with 17 points, including key baskets late in the fourth quarter. Starters Jake LaRavia and Marcus Smart combined for 26 points, 11 rebounds and four assists.
Doncic provided the spark the Lakers needed to get going
After a sluggish opening in which Los Angeles missed seven of its first 10 shots, Doncic took control early, scoring 12 first-quarter points as the Lakers built a nine-point lead. Dallas responded with a dominant stretch after halftime, opening the second half on a 16-0 run and briefly pushing its lead to 15.
The Lakers answered in the fourth quarter with a decisive 25-5 run, regaining control behind Doncic’s shot-making and timely defense. Los Angeles leaned on a 2-3 zone against a Dallas team ranked near the bottom of the league in three-point shooting, limiting penetration and forcing contested looks.
Max Christie led Dallas with 23 points, while Cooper Flagg, Naji Marshall, and Brandon Williams also scored in double figures. The Mavericks have now won five straight games despite the loss.
The victory snapped a potential two-game skid for Los Angeles, which is in the midst of an eight-game road trip and continues to search for consistency amid injuries.
Luka is on track to match a record set by Jordan and Westbrook
The Lakers are without guard Austin Reaves, sidelined since late December with a left calf strain, though Redick said Reaves is expected to return within the next 10 days.
Doncic has carried much of the offensive load in Reaves’ absence. He currently leads the NBA in scoring at 33.4 points per game, while also averaging 8.7 assists and 7.8 rebounds.
Only four players in league history – Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan, Russell Westbrook, and Doncic – have averaged at least 30 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds in a season.
Los Angeles improved to 27-17 and is now tied with Houston in the win column for fourth place in the Western Conference. Even with the win, the Lakers’ need for additional depth is growing clearer with the trade deadline approaching.
