Luka Doncic’s return to Dallas in his first game since being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in February was a highly emotional event for both the player and the Mavericks fans. The Lakers secured a playoff spot with a 112-97 victory over Dallas, in a game that saw Doncic score 45 points, with 31 of those coming in the first half. This was his 46th career 40-point game, showcasing his exceptional performance complemented by eight rebounds and six assists, shooting 16-of-28 from the floor and seven-of-10 on three-pointers.
LeBron James contributed 27 points and seven rebounds to the Lakers’ (49-31) win, solidifying their hold on the third spot in the Western Conference. Rui Hachimura added 15 points to the Lakers’ score. On the Mavericks side, Naji Marshall delivered a strong performance with 23 points and eight assists, while PJ Washington scored 14 points. Notably, Anthony Davis, playing his first game against his former team, finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists for Dallas. Despite the loss, Dallas (38-42) remains close to securing the final play-in position in the West, needing just one more win.
The emotional return was palpable, with Doncic visibly affected during a pregame video tribute and receiving a thunderous applause for his introduction. The crowd cheered enthusiastically for each of his plays, particularly his dominant second period where he scored 17 points, including three three-pointers, helping the Lakers take a 60-57 lead at halftime. However, Marshall’s effort kept Dallas in the game, reducing the lead to 83-76 going into the fourth quarter.
Max Christie’s tip-dunk briefly put Dallas in the lead, but James led a quick 9-0 response for the Lakers, after which the game was virtually sealed. Doncic’s step-back three-pointer and a strong drive extended Lakker’s lead to 110-94. With 1:34 left, Doncic was substituted out to a standing ovation.
Both teams will conclude their regular-season home games on Friday, with the Mavericks playing against Toronto and the Lakers facing Houston.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2025/4/10/luka-doncic-scores-45-as-lakers-win-against-mavericks?traffic_source=rss
