Anthony Davis believes Luka Doncic’s reunion with the Mavericks will be more emotional than his own with the Lakers

One of the biggest trades in NBA history saw the Dallas Mavericks send Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis. Now, with both stars settling into their new teams, all eyes are on their highly anticipated reunions with their former franchises.

In a recent interview with Marc Spears of Andscape, Davis was asked about the upcoming Mavericks-Lakers NBA showdown in Los Angeles. While his return to face the Lakers will be emotional, he believes the spotlight will be even bigger on Doncic.

“No, we got games. But it’s actually going to be more [emotional] because Luka is coming back. So, it’s going to be a tougher game. But no, I haven’t, man. Obviously, it’s on the schedule, but I’m just trying to take it one game at a time, coming back from injury, getting into a rhythm, and getting back to where I was.”

“But I’m not worried about it yet. As it gets closer to April 9, my ex-Lakers teammates will be hitting me up, like, ‘Let us come to the house, let’s hang.’ But I don’t even have a house out there anymore,” Davis said. While Davis acknowledges the emotions surrounding his first matchup against the Lakers in Los Angeles, he believes Doncic’s homecoming in Dallas will carry even greater significance.

Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers after making a three-point shot against the LA Clippers

“Obviously, it’s going to be an emotional game, the first time playing against them [in L.A.] next season. But who knows what happens in the playoffs or the play-in. I think my first game back in L.A., actually playing, would be a little bit more emotional for me. But I know April 9 will be an emotional night because Luka is coming back, and everybody in Dallas still loves him. It’ll be good to see Dallas give him a tribute and everything he deserves, just like L.A. did for me when I was there [injured during the Feb. 25 game],”Davis added.

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Davis on Kyrie Irving’s Injury and Mavericks’ String of Setbacks

Since Davis arrived in Dallas, injuries have plagued the Mavericks, with several key players—including star guard Kyrie Irving—sidelined. Davis shared his thoughts on the team’s struggles and Irving’s unfortunate injury.

“In basketball, man, things happens. It’s been going around the league—not even just the league but sports in general—these freakish injuries. I saw [Irving’s] play. Once he stepped in, he went down for a split second. The first thing I thought was, ‘Please, don’t let it be his ACL.’ I went to check on him, and he said it right then and there. I was like, ‘[expletive].’ I could just tell how bad it was,” Davis recalled. “The injuries haven’t stopped with Irving.”

Davis praises his teammates

Davis detailed the growing list of sidelined teammates, highlighting the uphill battle the Mavericks face. “We went from that to Gaff [Daniel Gafford] with his knee, Ex [Dante Exum] with his hand, O-Max [Olivier-Maxence Prosper] with his hand. Then you had Will [Brandon Williams] with his hammy, D-Live [Dereck Lively II] already had his foot, J-Hardy [Jaden Hardy] with his ankle. Like, man, we can’t catch a break. Caleb [Martin], with everything he’s got going on. PJ’s [Washington’s] ankle.”

“But credit to these guys—they’re getting treatment around the clock and doing everything they can to get back on the floor to make this push,”Davis said. Despite the setback, Davis commended Irving’s mentality in dealing with the injury. “At first, I let him have time to himself, his team, and everything. I was in the back with him, gave him some space, and then once he did everything he needed to do, he came back to the locker room where I was.”

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“His whole mood was different. He was like, ‘Hey listen, ain’t nothing I can do about it.’ His mindset shifted from frustration to, ‘Let’s get ready to start this rehab process and get back.’ It’s a tough injury, but I know he’s had some pretty significant injuries—the kneecap and everything—and he came back the same Kai.”