Luka Doncic delivered a stunning 45-point performance as the Los Angeles Lakers secured a seeded play-off position with a 112-97 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.
The game was especially poignant for Doncic, who faced his former team for the first time since his mid-season trade to the Lakers in February—a move that shocked the NBA world.
Fans at the American Airlines Center paid tribute to Doncic’s six-and-a-half seasons with the Mavericks, receiving T-shirts emblazoned with “Hvala za vse” (Slovenian for “Thank you for everything”). The 26-year-old was visibly moved as the Mavericks honored him with a pre-game video tribute, and the crowd responded with cheers every time he touched the ball early on.
However, Doncic quickly shifted his focus to the game, racking up 13 points in the first quarter and 31 by halftime. He finished with an all-around performance of eight rebounds, six assists, and four steals in 38 minutes of play.
“Everybody saw me, the way I reacted to the video,” Doncic told ESPN. “I love these fans, I love this city, but it’s time to move on. I really appreciate everyone who had my back.”
LeBron James, at 40 years old, also played a pivotal role, contributing 27 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter, to secure the Lakers’ win.
With the victory, the Lakers are guaranteed a top-six seed in the Western Conference play-offs and can lock in the third-seed spot by winning one of their two remaining games.
