The “Luka Doncic revenge game” is firmly in the books and it turned out quite alright for the former Dallas Mavericks superstar as his new team won 110-99.
The new superstar trio in Los Angeles (yes, Austin Reaves is getting included now!), top-scored for the LA Lakers to keep a plucky Mavs at arm’s length throughout.
LeBron James continued to beat Father Time with another clutch fourth-quarter display, while Austin Reaves hung another 20 and Luka Doncic topped it off with a triple-double.
In the process, Doncic did something for the LA Lakers that he ‘didn’t feel good’ doing for the Dallas Mavericks. Nico Harrison was watching as Doncic had a full-circle moment.
As if anyone needed any reminder, Luka Doncic displays his full array of skills against the Dallas Mavericks, determined to make his mark against the team that traded him.
Still universally loved by the Mavericks fans, Doncic came out of the blocks firing, with even chants of “Thank you, Nico” raining down at one point as Doncic took free throws.
His combination with LeBron James was the bane of Mavs’ existence as James ran the court and Doncic almost always found him.
In return, the Mavs had Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson trying to keep pace but failing in the absence of their own centerpiece in the Doncic trade as Anthony Davis was missing through injury.
Ultimately, Doncic became only the fourth Laker in history to record a triple-double in his first five games, finishing with figures of 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 15 assists.
His first triple-double as a Laker couldn’t be more different from his first one with the Mavs all the way back on January 21, 2019.
The early signs of Doncic’s winner mentality were clear from the off as he became only the second teenager in NBA history to record a triple-double.
It came on January 21, 2019, against the Milwaukee Bucks in a game they lost 116-106. Doncic tallied 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists then but fell short.
After the game, Doncic rued the loss, saying that he ‘didn’t feel good’ about the game despite his personal milestone.
He said: “I played bad for sure. I didn’t feel good. I am happy for my triple-double, but I would prefer a win for sure and I didn’t play good at all. I missed some shots that I shouldn’t miss.”
Doncic had gone 6/17 from the field that day which, coincidentally, is what he managed against the Mavericks with the Lakers too!
However, James ensured that his first triple-double as a Laker didn’t go to waste like his one with the Mavs did. It’s fair to assume Doncic will be feeling good about this one!
