The “new” Luka Doncic delivers against the Mavs: “Fantastic”

Luka Doncic’s return to Dallas was anything but a nostalgic homecoming. This time there were no scoring records or self-indulgent highlights: the difference was made by a more complete, mature version of Luka – and, above all, one decisive on the defensive end. The Los Angeles Lakers came back from behind to defeat the Dallas Mavericks 116-110.

Down by 13 at halftime, the Lakers built their comeback possession by possession, unleashing a 29-8 run that completely shut down the Mavs’ offense. The defining moment came in the final seconds, when Doncic drew a crucial offensive foul on Naji Marshall, sealing the win.

Not a minor detail, but the culmination of a night in which Dallas repeatedly tried to target him defensively.

We counted six straight stops when they went at him directly. Then he made the defensive play that ended the game. Fantastic.

JJ Redick

The box score still screams superstar: 33 points, 11 assists, 8 rebounds, on 8-of-15 shooting. But the most interesting number is another one: just 15 shot attempts, following the criticism he received in the previous game against the Clippers.

The ball moved well, everyone did their part. Fifteen shots? I’d say I got the message.

Luka Doncic

A concrete response. No polemics. And most importantly, a winning one.

Dallas, emotions and applause: “A special place”

We’d all like to stay with one team our whole career, and Dirk is the perfect model. But basketball is a business – sometimes things change and you have to adapt. That doesn’t mean your journey stops. You keep pushing, improving, learning, adding something to your game. I think that’s exactly what happened to him.

Jason Kidd

From an emotional standpoint, the return to the American Airlines Center was far from simple. Dončić revisited his former home, his car collection, and above all received a warm welcome from the crowd – despite the bad weather.

It’s a special place. I want to win every game, but this one is different. Seeing all these people show up, in this cold, means a lot.

Luka Doncic

With three wins in their last four games, and the potential return of Austin Reaves as early as the next matchup in Cleveland, the Lakers are once again becoming an uncomfortable matchup in the West.

We don’t know how far we can go, but we keep playing. Now we focus on Chicago.

LeBron James

And with a Luka Doncic like this – defense included – no one is eager to underestimate them.