Doncic ‘Fantastic’ inspires Lakers to win in Dallas
Luka Doncic played for the Los Angeles Lakers with 33 points helping them beat his former team, the Dallas Mavericks 116-110.
The Slovenian, playing in Dallas for the second time since being traded to the Lakers last February, also recorded 11 assists and eight rebounds.
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“We counted him after the match [Doncic] they had six straight stops where they targeted him,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said.
“Just fantastic work on your part. So [he] makes the defensive game decisive with the charge on [Naji] Marshal.”
“It’s a special place,” Doncic told ESPN of his return to Dallas. “I mean, I’m always going to want to win, no matter what. I want to win every game, but obviously this one’s a little different.”
Doncic scored two goals from beyond the arc in the first quarter to make the 26-year-old the youngest player in NBA history to hit 1,500 3-pointers.
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He was with Dallas from 2018 until last year, and said he almost went to the home locker room at halftime because “he was a little confused.”
The Lakers trailed by 15 points with seven minutes, 41 seconds left, but overturned the deficit to secure their third win in four games.
LeBron James scored 11 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter, while Max Christie chipped in for Dallas with 24 points.
“I think the biggest thing this year is that he’s just more comfortable,” James said of Doncic.
“Understanding the system, understanding the city, the city that embraces him. Understanding that it’s his team and we’re all rallying around him.
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“Obviously we know it’s exciting, a big game, to come back and face your former team. Tonight he showed who he is.”
The result leaves the Lakers fifth in the Western Conference, while the Mavericks are 12th.
Elsewhere, Kevin Huerter hit a 3-pointer just before the buzzer to help the Chicago Bulls beat the Boston Celtics 114-111, while Bam Adebayo scored 26 points as the Miami Heat beat the Utah Jazz 147-116.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves’ home game against the Golden State Warriors was postponed until Sunday after federal immigration agents shot and killed a man in Minneapolis.
“The decision was made to prioritize the safety and security of the Minneapolis community,” the NBA said in a statement.
