Patrick and Brittany Mahomes had the perfect vantage point on Wednesday night for the NBA clash everyone had circled on their calendars.
A fervent Dallas Mavericks supporter, the Kansas City Chiefs' star quarterback took his wife to witness Luka Doncic's highly anticipated return. After a surprising trade to the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this year, Doncic was back on the court facing his former team.
And boy, did he deliver. Doncic lit up the scoreboard with 45 points, propelling the Lakers to a 112-97 victory. After the game, he shared a warm moment with Mahomes, spotting him in the audience and sharing a hug—a gesture that spoke volumes about mutual respect and camaraderie.
The trade news that had sent shock waves earlier in February hadn't spared Mahomes. He turned to X, expressing his dismay with a straightforward, "I'm sick right now." No doubt, as a three-time Super Bowl winner, Mahomes had an unobstructed view of what the Mavs were missing now that Doncic was in purple and gold.
Doncic put on a clinic in the first half, dropping 31 points. When crunch time arrived, he paired with LeBron James to seal the Mavericks' fate as the Lakers closed out the game decisively.
In the NFL offseason, Mahomes has taken advantage of his free time to catch the Mavericks in action. Last year, he brought along his teammate Travis Kelce for a playoff game. That night turned infamous when Kelce, caught in the spotlight on the jumbotron, was met with a chorus of boos, to which he responded with playful incredulity.
This Wednesday was all about Luka, as the Mavericks honored him with a heartfelt tribute video on the jumbotron pre-game, drawing tears from the star. Despite the emotion, Doncic hit the ground running, quickly finding his rhythm on his old home court.
The Lakers locked in the win behind Doncic's 46th 40-point performance. LeBron James also shone brightly, contributing 27 points in the victory.
Reflecting on Doncic's departure during Super Bowl week festivities in New Orleans, Mahomes was generous in his praise: "I'm happy for him that he's going to be able to go out there and be in LA and get the chance to achieve his dream of winning a championship. He did so much, not only for the basketball team but for the city of Dallas, so I'll always be appreciative of those years. I'm excited for the Mavericks moving forward and the guys that they brought in."
As the Lakers solidify their position in the Western Conference, aiming for the third spot with two games before the playoffs, Doncic and crew now look to face off against the Houston Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers.
For the Mavericks, who sit 10th in the standings with a 38-41 record, the road to the playoffs likely goes through the play-in tournament.
Meanwhile, off the court, Mahomes is hard at work, already back on the gridiron getting in prime condition during the offseason. Since the tough Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in February, he’s been sharing workout clips that show a leaner, meaner version of himself—diet and fitness routines evidently paying off. He’s even sporting a new haircut, shedding the "dad bod" image as he gears up for a comeback that all of Chiefs Kingdom eagerly awaits.
