Luka Dončić Returns to Dallas, Hits Milestone, But Lakers' Comeback Steals the Spotlight
DALLAS - Luka Dončić made history in Dallas Saturday night - just not in the jersey anyone expected a year ago.
Back in American Airlines Center for only the second time as an opponent, Dončić became the youngest player in NBA history to hit 1,500 career three-pointers, edging out Jayson Tatum by just over a month. He also crossed the 17,000-minute mark for his career. But when the final buzzer sounded, those milestones were footnotes to a wild fourth-quarter surge that saw the Los Angeles Lakers storm back from 15 down to steal a 116-110 win over the Mavericks.
This wasn’t just Luka’s night - it was the Lakers’ statement.
Let’s rewind. After a sluggish third quarter where the Lakers managed just 14 points - their lowest-scoring frame of the season - things looked bleak.
They went four straight minutes without a bucket, coughing up turnovers and missing layups on nine consecutive possessions. Dallas took full advantage, flipping a 13-point deficit into a double-digit lead with all the momentum on their side.
The Mavericks were flying around, feeding off the energy of a crowd that braved icy roads and winter weather to pack the arena.
Then the fourth quarter happened.
Rui Hachimura, Marcus Smart, LeBron James, and Jake LaRavia all came up huge down the stretch. The Lakers locked in defensively, forced turnovers, and started executing with a sense of urgency that had been missing all night. It wasn’t just one guy - it was a collective push that turned the game on its head.
And yes, Dončić still delivered. He finished with 33 points, 8 rebounds, and 11 assists, orchestrating the offense with the kind of poise and vision that’s become his trademark.
One of his most impressive sequences came late - a slick, side-stepping layup followed by drawing a charge on the very next possession. It was vintage Luka, the kind of back-to-back plays that swing momentum and silence a crowd.
But this time, it wasn’t enough.
The trade that sent Dončić to L.A. - a blockbuster deal on February 1, 2025, that brought an injured Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick to Dallas - still lingers in the minds of fans. It changed the trajectory of both franchises. And while Dončić has clearly moved on, the emotions in the building said plenty.
Asked before the game if he had any regrets about the deal, Mavs head coach Jason Kidd kept it simple and forward-looking.
“I think it’s one year. Next year will be two years.
After that, it’ll be three. We’ll just keep counting,” Kidd said.
“Luka’s moved on, and we’ve moved on. He’s playing extremely well.
He’s leading the league in scoring. He has his team in the hunt.
For that, we wish him the best. That’s the business of basketball; you’ve got to move forward.”
The crowd showed up despite the elements - rain, sleet, snow, and enough ice to shut down major roads and cancel flights in the region. Even ESPN’s Lisa Salters couldn’t make it due to travel issues. But the fans who did make it were treated to a dramatic, emotional showdown between a franchise icon and the team he used to lead.
In the end, Luka made history. But the Lakers made a statement. And in a season where every win matters, this one felt a little heavier than most.