The Los Angeles Lakers secured a convincing 112–97 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night, but the game’s emotional weight went far beyond the box score. The night marked Luka Doncic’s first return to Dallas since the NBA blockbuster trade that sent him to L.A. — and the Mavericks honored their longtime star with a heartfelt tribute video. Austin Reaves shared his opinions.
As the video played inside American Airlines Center, emotions ran high across the building — including on the Lakers bench. Speaking after the game, Austin Reaves revealed what it felt like watching the tribute and witnessing Doncic’s reaction.
“To be honest, I didn’t want to look at him because I knew he was going to be emotional — just like everybody else,” Reaves told Spectrum SportsNet. “I was watching the video over by Bron. I was getting goosebumps, getting emotional, and I knew if I looked at him it would hit even harder. So I kept my eyes up. I think everybody had the same reaction.”
Reaves also praised Doncic for his poise and on-court dominance in the emotional return. “For him to go out and have a performance like that — you could tell how the stadium reacted, how much he meant to this community and this team. I’m just happy he’s on our team now.”
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on April 09, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
Doncic finished the night with 45 points, eight rebounds, and six assists on 57.1% shooting — a signature performance on what was clearly a meaningful night.
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Reaves on Luka’s leadership
Reaves continued to heap praise on the Lakers’ newest star, emphasizing Doncic’s impact and mindset. “We know we got somebody who can go win us a game on any given night,” Reaves said. “Like JJ [Redick] said, he’s a killer. I expected this from him. That’s just who he’s been since he got into the league. Anytime he’s challenged, he responds — and he just keeps getting better.”
“It’s really a beautiful thing to see if you love basketball. Watching someone dominate the game offensively like he does — it’s special.” While the night was a tribute to his past, Doncic is fully embracing the present. Despite only appearing in 27 games for the Lakers so far, the 25-year-old says he’s starting to feel at home in Los Angeles.
“It just feels like getting into a new home, you know?” Doncic told The Athletic earlier this week. “Dallas was my home for seven years — it really felt like home. So now I’m just trying to build a new one, and I’m getting more and more comfortable.”
Doncic reacts to the tribute
After the win, Doncic admitted the video tribute nearly took him out of the game mentally. “I don’t know how I did it,” he told NBA on TNT. “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.”
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Doncic’s comments carried both heartfelt appreciation for his years in Dallas and a firm resolve to turn the page and pursue a new chapter in L.A.
