NBA news: Luka Doncic faces former team in emotional clash

Luka Doncic faced his former team for the first time since being traded, delivering a strong performance for the Los Angeles Lakers against the Dallas Mavericks.

Despite an emotional buildup, the Slovenian star led his new team to a statement victory, though his postgame reaction reflected the complexity of the moment.

Here, Sports News Blitz writer Noah Ngcobo breaks down the intense matchup.

Doncic’s emotional return ends in victory

Doncic put up a triple-double with 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists in his first matchup against the team that drafted him in 2018, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 107-99 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

Despite Anthony Davis' absence, Kyrie Irving kept the Mavs competitive with 35 points, while Klay Thompson contributed 22 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter.

However, it was LeBron James who sealed the win, finishing with 27 points and 12 rebounds, while Austin Reaves added 20 points.

A night of mixed emotions for Doncic

While the win marked a milestone for Doncic - making him only the third player to record a triple-double against every NBA franchise - his postgame demeanor was anything but celebratory.

Instead of triumph, he expressed relief.

"It was just a lot of emotions and not much sleep," the point guard admitted, reflecting on the game, which took place just three and a half weeks after being traded from Dallas to Los Angeles.

"I can't even explain [it]. It was a different game…Sometimes I don't know what I was doing. And I'm just glad it's over, honestly."

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LeBron James takes over late

Doncic had a solid all-around performance but struggled with efficiency, shooting just 6-for-17 from the field and 1-for-7 from three-point range.

It was James who took control in the fourth quarter, scoring 16 of his 27 points on 7-for-9 shooting to secure the win for the Lakers.

Beyond the competition, the Slovenian faced an emotional hurdle - playing against former team-mates he remains close with and seeing familiar faces in Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison and coach Jason Kidd.

Kyrie Irving on facing his former teammate

Kyrie Irving, who led all scorers with 35 points, described the matchup as "awkward as sh*t," given that he and Doncic had previously led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals.

"But at the same time, it was fun. We got a chance to feel like we were in practice all over again going at each other. That was a good reflection point.

“And then just seeing the crowd cheer for him and just get him going…it was fun competing," Irving said.

Doncic echoed the sentiment, calling Irving his "hermano" and emphasising that their bond goes "way beyond basketball."

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Looking ahead to the rematch

The two teams will meet again in Dallas on April 9, a game that could bring an entirely different set of emotions for Doncic.

The Mavericks hope to have Anthony Davis back from his left adductor strain by then, adding another layer of intrigue to the rematch.

Lakers coach JJ Redick acknowledged the strange emotions surrounding the game, particularly with Davis returning to his old home and receiving a standing ovation when the Lakers played a tribute video for him in the first quarter.

The same dynamic applied to Max Christie, another player sent to Dallas in the trade, who contributed 10 points and six assists for the Mavericks.

"You kind of just got to embrace it," Redick said.

"It's just a little weird. It just naturally is.

“It's healthy, actually, just to acknowledge it and embrace it. And then you play the game, and then you never have to do that again."

As for Doncic, he admitted that fully moving on from the trade will take time.

"The closure is going to take a while, I think," he said.

"It's not ideal. But like I said, I'm glad this game is over. There was a lot of emotions. But we go little by little, and every day is better."

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