LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 06: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after making a … More
Luka Doncic got a standing ovation in his return to Dallas, while the man who traded him away was showered with chants of “Fire Nico.”
In his first game in Dallas since the blockbuster trade on Feb. 2 that sent him to the L.A. Lakers for Anthony Davis, Doncic erupted for 45 points on 16-of-28 shooting, including 7-of-10 from deep, in a 112-97 Lakers victory.
Davis had 13 points on 5-of-11 shooting with 11 rebounds in the loss.
As he left the game in the final minutes, Doncic was given a standing ovation, while Dallas GM Nico Harrison heard the chants calling for him to be fired.
Doncic, 26, became just the second player after Wilt Chamberlain to score 45 points with and against the same team in a single season.
“All these fans, I really appreciate it, man,” Doncic told ESPN’s Lisa Salters. “All the teammates I had, everybody had my back so I’m just happy. I love these fans, I love this city but it’s time to move on.”
As the Mavericks played a tribute video for Donic prior to the game, he teared up on the Lakers bunch.
After he dominated in his return, he hugged LeBron James and his teammates on the way to the bench. Patrick Mahomes dapped him up, and Dirk Nowitki looked on from courtside.
“So many emotions, I can’t even explain it,” Doncic said of watching the video. “It brought tears to my eyes. As a young kid here…they made me feel like home. It’s just a lot of great, great memories.”
Doncic wasn’t sure how he overcame the emotions to have one of his best games of the season.
“I don’t know how I did it because when I was watching that video, I was like, there’s no way I’m playing this game,” he said. “But you know, all my teammates had my back, they were really supporting me so I really appreciate that.”
Lakers coach JJ Redick told reporters: “His ability to then perform, lights turn on and he’s teary eye as we walk out on the court. To have the emotional resolve and then go put on that kind of performance it’s super human.”
The win was also critical for the Lakers (49-31) who are the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference and remain 1 1/2 games ahead of the rival Clippers in the loaded West.
Asked the best part of the return, Doncic smiled and said, “First of all, I can sleep in my bad. But the just to be back with the fans who supported me like that, who I spent 6 1/2 years with was just unbelievable.”
