The NBA’s Rivals Week is heating up, and Saturday night’s matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks is shaping up to be one of the most emotionally charged games of the season. The spotlight? Squarely on Luka Dončić, who returns to Dallas for the second time since his blockbuster trade to L.A.
This isn’t just another game on the calendar. For Dončić, it’s personal.
Though his exit from the Mavericks may have involved some tension with the front office, his bond with the franchise-and especially with his former teammates-runs deep. That connection hasn’t faded, even as he now wears purple and gold.
Mavericks guard Naji Marshall, who briefly shared the court with Dončić before the trade, knows exactly what’s coming.
“Y’all know he gets up for moments like this,” Marshall said. “You know what time he’s on.”
And if Dončić’s last trip to Dallas was any indication, the Mavericks are in for a long night. In his first return, the Slovenian superstar dropped 45 points, grabbed 8 boards, and dished out 6 assists on a scorching 57% from the field-leading the Lakers to a statement win. That kind of performance wasn’t just about stats; it was about sending a message.
Marshall, despite now being tasked with trying to stop his former teammate, still holds Dončić in high regard.
“I love playing against Luka,” he said. “That’s my guy.
Miss him dearly. Everybody’s gonna wanna see Luka, and just to be able to share the floor with him is a true blessing.
That’s my brother. I know he’s on the opposite team, and we want to win, but I just want to see the best happen for him throughout the rest of his career.”
Marshall joined the Mavericks ahead of the 2024-25 season, so his time alongside Dončić was brief-but clearly impactful. The respect is mutual, and the emotions are real. But once the ball tips, all that sentiment takes a backseat.
The Mavericks will need everything they’ve got to pull off a win, especially with Anthony Davis still sidelined due to a hand injury. That absence has given Dončić even more offensive responsibility in L.A., and he’s shown he can rise to the occasion.
Now, there’s one more wrinkle: Mother Nature. A winter storm is bearing down on Dallas, and it could throw a wrench into the plans. Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd addressed the looming weather concerns, hinting that the game’s status may hinge on one thing-whether the Lakers can land in Dallas.
“If the Lakers land, we play,” Kidd said. “Because it becomes hard for arena availability and trying to squeeze the game in here or there, so, if the Lakers do land tomorrow, we’re good.”
It’s a frustrating unknown, especially with a primetime ABC broadcast on deck and fans across the league eager to see how this emotional reunion plays out. But if the weather cooperates and the game goes on as scheduled, expect fireworks.
Dončić has shown he thrives under the bright lights-and this one’s shining as bright as ever.