The emotions were flowing on Wednesday night in Dallas, chiefly from Luka Dončić.
The Lakers star returned to play at American Airlines Center for the first time since the shocking late-night blockbuster trade in February that sent him from the Mavericks to Los Angeles.
Before the game even took place, the Mavericks honored him with a tribute video, which elicited tears from the five-time All-Star.
An emotional Luka Dončić reacts while watching a tribute video before the Lakers game against the Mavericks, his ormer team, at American Airlines Center.IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
During lineup introductions, the Dallas venue waited until the end of the Lakers’ names to show a montage of his memorable career moments that lasted a little over two minutes.
While it was being played on the arena scoreboard, Dončić sat by himself on the Lakers bench in his warmup attire and was visibly overcome with emotion, wiping away tears with a towel a few different times.
The end of the video included a “Thank you, Luka” message before he was formally introduced, getting a standing ovation from the crowd — which included his former teammate, Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki.
“Honestly, I don’t know about closure. It’s obviously a lot,” Dončić said after Tuesday’s loss in Oklahoma City of coming back to his old home in Texas. “I know the fans are going to appreciate me being back here. Honestly, I don’t know how I’m going to feel, but I’m just excited to be back.”
A fan of Lakers guard Luka Doncic holds up a sign before the game against the Mavericks at American Airlines Center.Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Luka Doncic embraces Rui Hachimura before the Lakers game against the Mavericks on April 9, 2025.NBAE via Getty Images
The trade has been widely panned by still-angry Mavericks fans, who once again chanted on Wednesday night, exhorting Dallas leadership to fire general manager Nico Harrison.
Nevertheless, at least one happy Lakers fan in attendance wore an “N. Harrison” Los Angeles jersey.
Since the trade to Dallas, Doncic has been just as consistent as he was in Dallas by averaging 27.1 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.6 assists across 26 games
