In a blockbuster return to Dallas, Luka Doncic lit up the court with a 45-point masterpiece to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a commanding 112-97 win over the Mavericks, sealing their spot in the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
Facing his old team for the first time since a stunning three-team trade sent him to L.A. on February 2, Doncic made it personal. He torched the Mavs with 45 points his highest-scoring game as a Laker adding 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 7 three-pointers, and 4 steals in a dominant all-around display.
Luka had an INCREDIBLE performance in his return to Dallas:
— NBA (@NBA) April 10, 2025
✨ 45 PTS (most w/ Lakers)
✨ 8 REB
✨ 6 AST
✨ 7 3PM
✨ 4 STL
The @Lakers clinch a spot in the #NBAPlayoffs presented by Google! pic.twitter.com/joBwFu6kz6
The performance came with emotional weight, as Doncic had spent his first six seasons with Dallas, becoming the face of the franchise before being dealt in a deal that saw Anthony Davis land in a Mavericks jersey.
This was the second clash between the teams since the trade. In their first meeting on February 26, Doncic notched a triple-double (19 pts, 15 reb, 12 ast) in another Lakers win, 107-99.
With L.A. now playoff-bound and Doncic clearly at home in purple and gold, the postseason promises even more fireworks from the Slovenian superstar.
