Luka Doncic haunted his former team on Saturday night, dropping 33 points, 11 assists, and 8 rebounds to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 116-110 comeback victory over the Dallas Mavericks.
Playing in Dallas for only the second time since his trade last February, the 26-year-old also became the youngest player in NBA history to reach 1,500 three-pointers.
The emotions of the return were evident, with Doncic admitting he almost walked into the Mavericks’ locker room at half-time out of habit.
The Lakers trailed by 15 points with less than eight minutes remaining before surging back.
LeBron James scored 11 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter to fuel the rally.
Lakers coach JJ Redick praised Doncic’s improved defense, highlighted by a game-sealing charge taken in the closing moments.
The win lifts the Lakers to fifth in the Western Conference, while the Mavericks sit 12th. Elsewhere in the league, the Minnesota Timberwolves’ game against Golden State was postponed following a fatal shooting in Minneapolis involving federal officers.
