Emotional Luka Fuels Lakers to Win in Dallas

Luka Doncic was emotional as his video tribute played on the video board inside American Airlines Center. You could see his eyes well up, and then the tears came, Doncic using a towel to wipe away tears as he watched. As he was introduced, he calmly walked out toward his teammates, the emotions still visible. 

The tribute and the emotional part of the evening was over. Now, it was time to go to work. 

Luka operated all evening like a renowned surgeon, patient in his approach and meticulous in his execution. 

45 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists in 38 minutes. 16 makes out of 28, 7 makes out of 10 from 3-point range in the 112-97 Laker victory. 

Fans cheered when Doncic touched the ball. In contrast to how some stars are dealt or how their experience ends with their previous team - usually void of harmony - Doncic was shockingly dealt in the middle of the night. Without warning, unprovoked and unexpected. The fans still love him. 

It was only right then that Doncic gave his old crowd a treat, even if it was a stinging reminder of what they lost. 

LeBron James added 27 points with 7 rebounds on 11-for-20 shooting. Rui Hachimura scored 15 on 5-for-10, Austin Reaves 11 on 4-for-10. 

Naji Marshall with 23 points, 8 assists, and 4 rebounds (9-for-14, 2-for-5 from deep) was the Mavericks’ top performer. Marshall, a solid wing player who can also defend, has come over from New Orleans and showed his talent. 13.4 points on 51% shooting. PJ Washington was 3-for-7 from downtown for 14 points with 5 rebounds. Anthony Davis, understandably demanding and commanding attention from the Laker defense, was just 5-for-13 for 13 points and 11 rebounds. Klay Thompson was just 2-for-7 from downtown for 6 points. Max Christie played well off the bench with 11 points on 5-for-8, while Daniel Gafford was impactful at the rim with 2 blocks and 10 points, 6 rebounds. 

The Lakers, 49-31, maintain a one game lead on the Denver Nuggets (48-32) for 3rd in the Western Conference. The Mavericks, 38-42, have clinched a playoff spot, 10th in the conference. 

Around the League 

Magic 96 (40-40)

Celtics 76 (59-21)

Franz Wagner: 23 PTS, 8 REB (9-for-17 FG)

Anthony: 18 PTS, 8 REB (6-for-13 FG, 5-for-10 3PT)

Banchero: 15 PTS, 6 AST, 4 REB (6-for-17 FG)

Pritchard: 15 PTS, 10 AST, 4 REB (7-for-17 FG, 1-for-7 3PT)

Scheierman: 15 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST (6-for-14 FG, 1-for-7 3PT)

Kornet: 14 PTS (7-for-10 FG)

ORL: Clinches 7th seed

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76ers 122 (24-56)

Wizards 103 (17-63)

Dowtin Jr.: 30 PTS (11-for-15 FG, 4-for-7 3PT)

Walker IV: 24 PTS (7-for-17 FG, 3-for-11 3PT)

Grimes: 17 PTS, 11 REB, 7 AST (4-for-17 FG, 3-for-10 3PT)

Vukcevic: 24 PTS, 6 REB (7-for-13 FG, 3-for-4 3PT)

Champagnie: 14 PTS, 12 REB (5-for-12 FG)

Jones: 13 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST (5-for-11 FG, 2-for-4 3PT)

PHI: 1st win since March 16

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Raptors 126 (30-50)

Hornets 96 (19-61)

Rhoden: 23 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST (8-for-12 FG, 3-for-5 3PT)

Mogbo: 17 PTS, 11 AST, 10 REB (7-for-16 FG)

Barnes: 17 PTS, 11 REB, 5 AST (7-for-15 FG, 3-for-5 3PT)

Smith Jr.: 28 PTS, 10 AST, 6 REB (8-for-13 FG, 6-for-9 3PT)

Nurkic: 26 PTS, 9 REB, 4 AST (12-for-19 FG)

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Bulls 119 (37-43)

Heat 111 (36-44)

Giddey: 28 PTS, 16 REB, 11 AST (11-for-19 FG, 3-for-6 3PT)

Huerter: 22 PTS, 7 AST, 4 REB (9-for-16 FG, 4-for-9 3PT)

Vucevic: 20 PTS, 11 REB, 8 AST (9-for-15 FG, 2-for-4 3PT)

Herro: 30 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST (13-for-26 FG, 2-for-7 3PT)

Adebayo: 18 PTS, 6 REB, 3 AST (6-for-15 FG, 2-for-3 3PT)

Mitchell: 17 PTS, 8 AST, 3 REB (6-for-10 FG, 2-for-5 3PT)

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Jazz 133 (17-63)

Trail Blazers 126 (35-45)

Filipowski: 30 PTS, 18 REB, 5 AST (13-for-17 FG, 2-for-5 3PT)

Sensabaugh: 22 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST (7-for-12 FG, 6-for-10 3PT) 

George: 18 PTS, 6 REB, 6 AST (6-for-16 FG, 4-for-9 3PT)

Sharpe: 37 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST (13-for-23 FG, 6-for-12 3PT)

Rupert: 19 PTS, 4 REB (7-for-17 FG, 1-for-7 3PT)

Camara: 16 PTS, 6 REB, 2 STL (6-for-18 FG, 2-for-8 3PT)

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Spurs 114 (33-47)

Warriors 111 (47-33)

Castle: 21 PTS, 5 AST, 3 REB (8-for-15 FG, 1-for-5 3PT)

Johnson: 21 PTS, 8 REB (8-for-17 FG, 1-for-5 3PT)

Barnes: 20 PTS, 4 REB (6-for-9 3PT)

Curry: 30 PTS, 8 REB (12-for-24 FG, 5-for-14 3PT)

Butler: 28 PTS, 7 AST, 4 REB (5-for-8 FG, 16-for-17 FT)

Green: 13 PTS, 9 REB, 8 AST (4-for-7 FG, 2-for-4 3PT)

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Thunder 125 (66-14)

Suns 112 (35-45)

Jalen Williams: 33 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST (13-for-23 FG, 2-for-6 3PT)

Holmgren: 22 PTS, 10 REB, 4 AST (5-for-12 FG)

Caruso: 19 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST (6-for-8 FG, 2-for-4 3PT)

Beal: 25 PTS, 4 AST (8-for-17 FG, 4-for-8 3PT)

Booker: 20 PTS, 14 AST, 6 REB (9-for-20 FG)

Gillespie: 17 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST (6-for-9 FG, 3-for-6 3PT)

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Nuggets 124 (48-32)

Kings 116 (39-41)

Braun: 25 PTS, 4 REB (9-for-12 FG, 3-for-5 3PT)

Jokic: 20 PTS, 12 REB, 11 AST (5-for-12 FG)

Porter Jr.: 24 PTS, 5 REB (7-for-14 FG, 4-for-8 3PT)

LaVine: 27 PTS, 11 AST (10-for-20 FG, 4-for-8 3PT)

DeRozan: 22 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST (8-for-26 FG, 0-for-5 3PT)

Ellis: 20 PTS, 6 REB (7-for-12 FG, 6-for-11 3PT)

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Clippers 134 (48-32)

Rockets 117 (52-28)

Harden: 35 PTS, 10 AST (10-for-18 FG, 5-for-11 3PT)

Leonard: 22 PTS. 10 REB, 4 AST (9-for-22 FG)

Zubac: 20 PTS, 11 REB, 10 AST (9-for-13 FG)

Sheppard: 20 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST (7-for-14 FG, 6-for-10 3PT)

Jeff Green: 19 PTS (7-for-9 FG, 4-for-6 3PT)

Eason: 17 PTS, 5 REB (7-for-12 FG, 2-for-4 3PT)

LAC: 6 straight wins; 16-3 since March 5

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