After the prior game’s disappointing loss to OKC and Luka Doncic’s unwarranted ejection, the latter responded with a majestic performance to steer the Los Angeles Lakers atop one of its new rivals as they took a 112-97 over the Dallas Mavericks and its new star, Anthony Davis.

For the first time since the trade deadline in February, the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers have met with their new rosters featuring Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis – who were traded for one another (along with other assets) in one of the shocking trade moves that have really buzzed the entire sports world. It showed a glimpse of who actually won the said deal.

The Lakers battled all night as Dallas kept at their heels. However, Los Angeles used a massive run in the fourth quarter to keep the Mavs at bay and come up with a big lead all the way to 1:34 to play in the game – at which point the Lakers elected to sit its starters, including Doncic as they braced for the win with their bench. Los Angeles now continues to stand third in the Western Conference and is likely to lock up that spot by the end of the season.

A Dramatic Homecoming for Doncic

Luka Doncic had an emotional return to Dallas for the first time since February. He missed a chunk of the early half of the season, only to return in the game in Los Angeles instead. Dallas laid white shirts all over the American Airlines Center that said “Hvala za vse”, which is “Thank You” in Slovenian. Dallas also played a tribute video dedicated to Doncic’s five-and-a-half-year run with the Mavericks, leaving the former Texas star in tears as he watched it before the pre-game introductions.

But business is business, and Doncic went to work as he dropped 45 points – matching his season high and now being able to score it twice this season for both of his teams. Luka also tallied eight rebounds, six assists, and four steals along with seven threes to lead the way for the Lakers.

Anthony Davis, who was the trade piece that brought Doncic to Los Angeles, finished with a dismal night and had a poor game overall with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists. Dallas fans were cheering for Luka for most of the game whenever the star guard was on the floor, while shouting “Fire Nico” whenever he’s off the floor – calling out the Dallas GM who was responsible for sending Doncic to the Lakers.

Game Takeaways

With the win, the Los Angeles Lakers are guaranteed at least the top six overall in the Western Conference and could likely finish with the third seed at best. The team came into the showdown off their third game in four days – where they split a pair of games in Oklahoma City.

Dallas, on the other hand, is now guaranteed to finish with a losing season not even a full year after reaching the NBA Finals. However, the Mavericks are locked for the Play-In Tournament and could finish anywhere from the seventh to 10th seed.

Naji Marshall led the scoring for the Mavericks with 23 points, eight assists, and four rebounds, while PJ Washington added 14 points, five rebounds, and three assists. The Lakers, on the other hand, saw LeBron James come up with a promising scoring burst and finished with 27 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. Rui Hachimura scored 15 points in his return, while Austin Reaves, who was on fire in the game before, only had 11 points and four rebounds and assists apiece.