It still hasn’t been a full year since Luka Dončić made the jump to Los Angeles, but it already feels like he’s been wearing purple and gold for much longer. After arriving in a blockbuster trade and quickly signing a contract extension, Luka has firmly planted roots in LA. Yet, as the Lakers gear up to face the Dallas Mavericks this weekend, it’s clear that Dallas still holds a special place in his heart.
Following the Lakers’ recent loss to the Clippers, Dončić spoke about his upcoming return to the city where his NBA journey began.
“Obviously, always going to feel like home there,” Luka said. “Like I said, I needed that game [last year] to move on a little bit.
But obviously, I’ll always appreciate those fans. They were really tight.
I think we had a special bond. I really appreciate it all the time.”
That bond was on full display last season when Dončić returned to Dallas for the first time in a Lakers uniform. The Mavericks honored him with a tribute that brought him to tears - a powerful reminder of the impact he had on the franchise and its fanbase. It was raw, emotional, and very real.
But once the ball was tipped, the emotion gave way to execution.
Dončić put on a show that night, torching his former team for 45 points, eight rebounds, and six assists in a dominant 112-97 Lakers win. It was vintage Luka - the kind of performance that reminded everyone why he was once the face of the Mavericks and why he’s now the centerpiece of the Lakers’ future.
That first game back was a necessary step in moving forward. But even with time and distance, Dallas isn’t just another opponent for Luka.
Not yet. Maybe not ever.
He didn’t leave Dallas by choice. He was the franchise cornerstone, the guy who was supposed to retire in a Mavericks jersey.
Seven seasons of All-NBA brilliance, playoff heroics, and nightly highlights - all of it ended abruptly. That kind of separation doesn’t just fade overnight.
So when the Lakers head to Dallas this Saturday, all eyes will be on Luka once again. The crowd at American Airlines Center will almost certainly rise to their feet for him - not out of obligation, but out of genuine appreciation. And with former GM Nico Harrison no longer in the picture, the atmosphere should be nothing but love.
For Luka, this game might be another step in the healing process. Another chance to face the past, acknowledge it, and keep moving forward. But don’t expect sentimentality to get in the way of his competitive fire.
If last year’s performance was any indication, Luka will be locked in. He knows what this matchup means - to him, to the fans, and to the narrative. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned about Dončić, it’s that he thrives in moments like this.
So whether it’s closure, motivation, or just another chapter in a remarkable career, expect Luka to bring everything he’s got when he steps onto the court in Dallas. Because no matter what jersey he’s wearing, Luka Dončić never forgets where he came from - and he never takes the court without making a statement.