Luka Doncic delivers a strong performance with 33 points and key defensive plays in the closing moments.
DALLAS – Last season was characterized by Luka Doncic’s scoring outbursts during his return to Dallas for the first time. On Saturday, it was Doncic’s defensive efforts that ignited a remarkable comeback for the Los Angeles Lakers, leading to a 116-110 victory over his former team.
The Mavericks held a 15-point advantage with 7:41 left in the fourth quarter, having rallied after L.A. was ahead by 13 at halftime.
The Lakers finished the game with a 29-8 run, with Doncic successfully countering his former coach, Jason Kidd’s strategy to exploit him defensively when the Mavericks had possession.
“We counted after the game, he had six consecutive stops where they targeted him,” Lakers coach JJ Redick remarked about Doncic. “He did an outstanding job. Then [he] made the game-sealing defensive play with the charge on [Naji] Marshall.”
Doncic drew the offensive foul on Marshall—a well-regarded former teammate with whom he engaged in light-hearted banter throughout the night—with 41.8 seconds remaining, a possession after he maneuvered through the defense to execute a finger-roll layup that put L.A. ahead by eight.
“It’s a special place,” Doncic expressed regarding Dallas. “I mean, I always strive to win, regardless of the circumstances. Every game is important, but this one holds a bit more significance.”
Doncic mentioned that he visited his home—and his car collection—on Friday night and expressed gratitude to the Mavs fans who braved icy conditions to fill the American Airlines Center for the game.
“That was truly special,” Doncic stated. “I wasn’t sure what to expect beforehand, knowing how the city reacts to bad weather. I genuinely appreciate everyone who came out.”
Doncic concluded the game with 33 points on 8-for-15 shooting, along with 11 assists and eight rebounds, just one game after Redick criticized him for not trusting his teammates enough and not passing sufficiently in L.A.’s 112-104 defeat to the L.A. Clippers on Thursday.
“Everyone played exceptionally well,” Doncic noted. “The ball was distributed effectively. I took 15 shots [myself], so I acknowledge JJ’s point.”
LeBron James contributed 11 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter, Rui Hachimura added 7 of his 17—scoring seven consecutive points with a four-point play, followed by a three-pointer to give L.A. the lead with 2:15 left; and Marcus Smart scored 7 of his 13 in the final period, playing through discomfort.
“My finger popped out,” Smart recounted regarding his right index finger, which he had surgery on during the offseason. “So I had to put it back in. … Popped it right back in.”
Similar to last season, a strong team performance has the Lakers re-emerging as a contender in the Western Conference.
Doncic’s initial return to Dallas last April seemed to energize the team, with Doncic shedding tears pregame and then dominating the Mavericks with 45 points. It marked their sixth victory in a nine-game stretch, which included a buzzer-beater by James in Indiana and a commanding win in Oklahoma City against the eventual NBA champions.
This time, there wasn’t the same level of excitement—though Doncic received a warm welcome when introduced before the game and “MVP!” chants during his free throws in the second quarter—but the victory could have a comparable impact for a Lakers squad that has now won three of their last four games.
They are also looking forward to the return of Austin Reaves as soon as Wednesday in Cleveland, following a left calf strain that has kept him out since Christmas.
“That’s the unknown, but that’s what you hope for, obviously,” James said when asked if the Lakers are beginning to gain momentum. “That’s the unknown, but you play the game. We need to prepare ourselves for Chicago. … So, we must continue this road trip.”
ESPN’s Tim MacMahon contributed to this report.
