Luka Doncic Feels Relief After Facing Mavericks for First Time Since Trade

“I’m Just Glad It’s Over”

Doncic admitted he had trouble sleeping leading up to the game, saying, “It was just a lot of emotions… Sometimes I don’t know what I was doing. I’m just glad it’s over, honestly.” The 25-year-old faced not only his former teammates but also Mavericks GM Nico Harrison and coach Jason Kidd, making the night even more intense. While Doncic didn’t have his best shooting performance (6-for-17 FG, 1-for-7 3PT), LeBron James took over in the fourth quarter, scoring 16 of his 27 points to seal the win.

Former Teammates React

Mavericks star guard Kyrie Irving, who played alongside Doncic in last season’s NBA Finals run, described the game as “awkward as s---,” but also called it fun, comparing it to their old practice battles. Despite the trade, Doncic and Irving remain close: “He’s my hermano… our relationship goes way beyond basketball.”

LeBron also acknowledged the emotional weight of the matchup:
“When you give so much to a franchise… and they move on from you, it’s very emotional. I thought he handled it tremendously.”

Looking Ahead: Round Two in Dallas

The Lakers and Mavericks will meet again on April 9 in Dallas, where Doncic will face a different kind of challenge—returning to the city he called home for seven seasons. The Mavs are also hoping Anthony Davis (who was sent to Dallas in the trade) will be healthy after his adductor injury.

Lakers coach JJ Redick acknowledged the weirdness of the situation but said it’s all part of the process: “You embrace it, play the game, and then you never have to do that again.”

For Doncic, the closure will take time—but with each passing day, it gets a little easier.