Luka Doncic delivered a stellar performance with a triple-double, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 107-99 victory against the Dallas Mavericks at Crypto.com Arena.
In the first game against his former team since the high-profile trade, Doncic tallied 19 points, 15 rebounds, 12 assists, three steals and two blocks.
The matchup was charged with emotion from the start, highlighted by Doncic’s spirited interaction with the Mavericks’ bench following a first-quarter three-pointer. His influence was palpable early on as he registered nine points, seven rebounds, and four assists in the first quarter alone.
Luka Dončić is all smiles in Los Angeles as the Lakers take down the Dallas Mavericks in a thrilling showdown 🔥
Dončić against his former team:
◻️ 19 PTS
◻️ 15 REB
◻️ 12 AST
◻️ 3 STL
◻️ 2 BLK pic.twitter.com/d4psy2qxEW
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) February 26, 2025By halftime, Doncic had notched 12 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists, achieving a record-breaking performance since the inception of play-by-play tracking in 1996, becoming the first player to reach these numbers, along with two steals and two blocks in a single half.
In the win, LeBron James and Austin Reaves scored 27 and 20 points, respectively. Their efforts helped the Lakers improve their record to 3-2 since Doncic’s debut with the team.
Despite Kyrie Irving’s high-scoring game of 35 points for the Mavericks and Klay Thompson’s 22 points, Dallas was hampered by 18 turnovers, which the Lakers converted into 30 points.
The game remained close in the fourth quarter until the Lakers extended their lead, culminating in a decisive dunk by James from a Doncic assist. The emotional night concluded with Doncic embracing his former teammates, marking a significant chapter in his new journey with the Lakers.
