April 9, 2025, will be remembered as a historic day for Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks. The former Mavs standout returned to the American Airlines Center for the first time in seven years, but this time, he wore a Los Angeles Lakers jersey. The homecoming was marked by an emotional tribute video from his former team, which left Doncic visibly moved.
It was a deeply emotional moment for the Slovenian star, whose journey in Dallas had a lasting impact. Dallas was his first U.S. home, and despite not being able to deliver a championship, he gave everything he had to bring joy to the city. Although his departure was unexpected, Doncic’s return to Dallas showed just how much his time with the Mavericks remains a cherished memory.
Despite the flood of emotions, Doncic didn’t miss a beat on the court. Stepping up for his new team, he delivered a brilliant 45-point performance, proving that he still has the magic that made him a fan favorite in Dallas. He was undoubtedly the best player on the floor, earning cheers from the crowd and admiration from everyone in the arena.
Following the Lakers‘ victory, which secured their playoff spot, Doncic opened up about the emotional video and how he managed to perform at such a high level. “I don’t know how I did it,” he said. “When I was watching that video, I was thinking, ‘There’s no way I’m playing this game.’ But I’m happy, I love these fans, I love this city, but it’s time to move on,” Dončić told NBA on TNT after the win.
JJ Redick’s comments on Doncic’s performance
After the emotional atmosphere at the American Airlines Center, Lakers head coach JJ Redick shared his thoughts on Doncic’s performance against his former team. Redick highlighted Doncic’s professionalism on the court, noting his ability to deliver an outstanding performance despite the emotional backdrop.
“Some of his teammates got emotional, some of the coaches got emotional… to have the emotional resolve and then go put on that kind of performance, it’s superhuman,” Redick said after the victory.
The ovation for Doncic in Dallas
One of the most memorable moments captured on camera was the standing ovation for Doncic. His performance, combined with the love shown by the fans, provided a fitting conclusion to his return to the city where his journey began.
Surrounded by his current teammates and former colleagues in Dallas, the crowd chanted, “Luka, Luka, Luka,” as a tribute to the respect and admiration they have for him, following his remarkable display on Wednesday night at the American Airlines Center.
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