Lakers 116, Mavs 110: Luka Dončić scores 33 points in a Lakers win over the Mavericks

The roads across North Texas were frozen as snow fell from the sky, but that did not stop a bevy of Dallas Mavericks fans from driving, taking public transportation or even walking to American Airlines Center to see Luka Dončić.

The Mavericks traded Dončić in the middle of last season, yet fans still showed out in droves to see their former superstar. Even with the rise of Dallas’ No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, both local fans and traveling Los Angeles Lakers supporters cheered loudly for Dončić throughout the night.

Inside the tunnel, fans took photos with Dončić and rushed to social media to post their interactions. When he walked onto the floor, the crowd erupted. When he attempted his signature pregame halfcourt shot, the cheers followed. And after nearly every made basket, the ovation returned.

Nearly a year after the trade in February, Mavericks fans continue to root for the player their franchise drafted in 2018.

Lakers coach JJ Redick said it was important to recognize the human element of Dončić returning to the AAC.

“The significance of this will probably be there for the rest of his career,” Redick said before the game.

Even with Dallas sending double teams at him for large portions of the night, Dončić finished with 33 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds to help lead the Lakers to a 116-110 victory against the Mavericks.