Luka Dončić return to Dallas shows bond with Mavericks fans hasn’t faded

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 the American Airlines Center to see Luka Dončić.

The Mavericks traded Dončić in the middle of last season, yet fans still showed up 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. After nearly every made basket, the ovation returned.

Nearly a year after the February trade, Mavericks fans continue to root for the player the 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.

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

Even with five Mavericks scoring 15 or more points, Dallas could not secure the win.

Dončić recorded his 1,500th career 3-pointer in Dallas on his second made triple of the game. He became the youngest player in NBA history to reach the mark, besting Jayson Tatum by 32 days.

With the loss, the Mavericks’ season-best four-game winning streak came to an end. Dallas led by as many as 15 points but was outscored 37-23 in the final period.

Dončić got the better of 19-year-old Flagg on multiple occasions. Flagg did not start the game guarding Dončić, but the two were switched onto each other several times. In the first half, Dončić knocked down a pair of jumpers over the rookie. Flagg responded by scoring over both Dončić and LeBron James, who finished with 17 points.

Flagg totaled 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists on 7-of-20 shooting in his first home game against Dončić and James.

Naji Marshall spent time defending Dončić and had moments of success despite the Slovenian’s stat line. In the second quarter, Marshall stripped Dončić, leading to a layup on the other end. On another possession, a Mavericks double team forced Dončić into a pass that went directly to Klay Thompson. Dončić finished with five turnovers.

Marshall recorded 21 points and 11 rebounds. Mavericks wing Max Christie added 24 points, including four 3-pointers.

Christie and Flagg connected on multiple plays, helping Dallas take a 70-69 lead in the third quarter. Shortly after, Christie appeared to injure his leg and hobbled to the locker room. He returned midway through the fourth quarter and scored six points in the period.

Brandon Williams scored eight of his 20 points in the third quarter to help the Mavericks take a lead entering the final period.

But Lakers forward Rui Hachimura scored 17 points, and his two 3-pointers in the final three minutes sealed the game.

The Mavericks will attempt to fly out to play the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday.