Luka Dončić Punishes Former Team in Emotional Clash
Slovenian superstar Luka Dončić had an unforgettable night as he led his new team, the Los Angeles Lakers, to a 107-99 victory over his former club, the Dallas Mavericks, in one of the most thrilling NBA matchups of the season.
Dončić delivered a masterful performance, recording a triple-double with 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists. This was his first encounter with the Mavericks since his shocking trade to the Lakers earlier this month, which sent star Anthony Davis to Dallas. Davis, sidelined with an injury, was in attendance at Crypto.com Arena and received a tribute from his former team during the first timeout.
Dallas GM Nico Harrison, heavily criticized by Mavericks fans for the trade, was ironically cheered by Lakers supporters, who chanted “Thank you, Nico” while Dončić took free throws.
Speaking to TNT after the game, Dončić admitted it was a surreal experience facing his former teammates: “I don’t even know how to describe it. The first two quarters, I wasn’t really aware of what was happening. It felt completely different, and I can’t even put my emotions into words.”
Despite his all-around contribution, Dončić acknowledged his shooting wasn’t at its best and credited LeBron James for sealing the win in the fourth quarter. “I couldn’t hit anything tonight. I’m just happy we won. Honestly, I can’t wait to go to sleep,” he joked. James scored a game-high 27 points, including 16 in the final period, with Dončić assisting on the game-clinching play.
The Mavericks put up a strong fight despite missing key players, with Kyrie Irving shining with 35 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. Klay Thompson added 22 points.
Cleveland Cavaliers Extend Streak to Eight Wins
The Cleveland Cavaliers, the top team in the Eastern Conference, continued their dominance with an emphatic 122-82 win over the Orlando Magic, extending their winning streak to eight games.
Backup guard Ty Jerome led the Cavs with 20 points in just 21 minutes, while Max Strus knocked down five three-pointers for 17 points. Star guard Donovan Mitchell had a quieter night with 11 points.
Cleveland improved to 48-10 for the season, while Orlando, now seventh in the East, fell to 31-29.
The Boston Celtics, the second seed in the East, earned their 42nd win of the campaign with a 111-101 road victory over the Toronto Raptors. Jaylen Brown paced Boston with 24 points, while Derrick White contributed 22, Payton Pritchard added 20, and Jayson Tatum recorded 19 points and 11 assists.
Boston played without Latvian center Kristaps Porziņģis due to illness, while Jrue Holiday was rested, and Luke Kornet missed the game for personal reasons.
The Memphis Grizzlies needed overtime to edge past the Phoenix Suns 151-148 in a high-scoring battle. Ja Morant was the hero, tallying 29 points and 8 assists, including 15 points in the fourth quarter. He also hit the game-tying shot that forced overtime.
In other games, the Houston Rockets defeated their guests Milwaukee Bucks 100-97, the New Orleans Pelicans overcame the San Antonio Spurs 109-103, and the Golden State Warriors cruised past the Charlotte Hornets 128-92.
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