Lakers star Luka Doncic scores 45 in emotional, winning return to Dallas
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DALLAS — The Lakers fans and the Mavericks fans cheered. Because they were Luka Doncic fans.
The uniforms were Lakers purple and gold. They were Dallas navy and Mavericks retro green. They were from the Slovenian national team and a Spanish club.
All had the same name across the back.
They cheered when he touched the ball and erupted when he made his first shot. They booed when he traveled and stood and applauded when he checked out.
Even though he was now a visitor, the Mavericks crowd reminded Doncic at every opportunity that they felt this still should be home.
They showed it before Wednesday’s game, lining the court to watch him go through his routine an hour before tipoff. They showed it during introductions, roaring as he was introduced as a Laker for the first time in Dallas after a two-minute tribute video.
And they showed it each time the Lakers went to the free-throw line early in the game by chanting “Fire Nico,” the words that have come to define the Mavericks’ season after general manager Nico Harrison dealt Doncic to the Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a first-round pick.
Doncic repaid the fans with the kind of show they’d seen countless times, scoring 31 of his 45 points in the first half of the Lakers’ 112-97 win. The victory assures the Lakers of a top-six seed in the Western Conference playoffs.
After his final basket, Dallas called time out and Doncic embraced his new teammates, falling into LeBron James’ arms for the biggest hug. The fans chanted “Luka” while Lakers players urged them on.
It was the manifestation of what coach JJ Redick said the Lakers hoped to show Doncic, that they “got his back.”
Before the game fans held their phones up at American Airlines Center’s giant scoreboard as the lights dimmed for a video of Doncic’s best moments with the Mavericks — a mix of big shots, magical passes and boyish charisma that enchanted the franchise’s fans. Doncic’s lip quivered as tears pooled in his eyes.
“I was, like, ‘There’s no way I’m playing this game,’” Doncic recalled thinking. “It was so many emotions and I just went out there and just played basketball.”
After featuring him as their primary offensive option for two quarters, the Lakers turned to defense and transition offense to take control in the third quarter. And while Dallas briefly took the lead in the fourth quarter, a Christie two-handed slam nudging the Mavericks ahead, Doncic and the Lakers closed them out by playing their best all-around basketball while another round of “Fire Nico” chants bounced through the arena.
As he checked out, Doncic got one last standing ovation, turning to show his appreciation to the crowd. For the night, everyone had gotten what they wanted.
Tomorrow he will be focused only on the Lakers.
“It’s over,” Doncic recalled telling himself after he checked out. “We won and I had a great time.”
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