Luka Doncic scored 31 of his 45 points in the first half of his highly anticipated Dallas homecoming as the visiting Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Mavericks, 112-97, yesterday (Philippine time).
Doncic’s 46th career 40-point game was complemented by eight rebounds and six assists, while connecting on 16-of-28 from the floor and 7-of-10 three-pointers.
LeBron James posted 27 points and seven boards, and Rui Hachimura added 15 points as the Lakers (49-31) bolstered their grip on the third spot in the Western Conference.
Naji Marshall contributed 23 points and eight assists for Dallas, P.J. Washington scored 14, and Anthony Davis — in his first game for Dallas against his old side — finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds and six assists.
The result leaves Dallas (38-42) still requiring one more win to secure the 10th position in the West.
Doncic, traded from Dallas to Los Angeles for Davis as part of a blockbuster deal on February 2, became emotional during a pre-game video tribute, before receiving deafening applause when his name was called during the starting lineup announcements.
Doncic, who averaged a franchise-record 28.6 points in 422 games for Dallas, received rousing cheers with every possession or score, particularly early.
His 14 first-quarter points were offset by five Los Angeles turnovers, as the Marshall-led Mavericks moved ahead 30-26 at the first break.
Doncic dominated the second period, draining 3-of-3 treys and scoring 17 of his team’s 34 points, as Los Angeles took a 60-57 lead at halftime.
James, who had just eight first-half points as he played second fiddle to Doncic, came alive in the third and helped the Lakers’ cushion balloon to 78-65, before Marshall single-handedly weathered the storm for Dallas and trimmed the gap back to 83-76 with a quarter to play.
Max Christie’s tip-dunk edged the Mavs in front 84-83, but their time ahead was brief as James spearheaded a 9-0 Los Angeles response inside 90 seconds, and the Lakers were never remotely threatened again.
Doncic’s stepback three-pointer and strong drive blew the margin to 110-94 before the five-time All-NBA First-Team selection substituted with 1:34 remaining to a standing ovation. (Field Level Media / Reuters)