Lakers’ Luka Doncic Gets Emotional Watching Tribute Video Before Mavericks Game

Apr 9, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) warms up before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Los Angeles Lakers superstar guard Luka Doncic was spotted getting emotional during a tribute video before the Mavericks game.

Luka wiping tears after watching Mavs tribute video 🥺 pic.twitter.com/9tYtzdW3A0

— ESPN (@espn) April 9, 2025

Doncic will play his former team in his former arena for the first time in his career.

Doncic spent over six seasons with Dallas, where he quickly cemented his place among the NBA’s elite. In 422 regular season games—all starts—spanning seven years (2018–2025), Doncic posted impressive averages of 28.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists, and 1.2 steals in 34.9 minutes per game. His career scoring average ranks third-highest in league history.

In the postseason, Doncic was just as dominant. Through 50 playoff games, he averaged 30.9 points, 9.4 rebounds, 8.0 assists, and 1.7 steals in 38.9 minutes, highlighted by a trip to the NBA Finals in 2024. He’s second all-time in playoff scoring average and tied for sixth in career postseason triple-doubles with 10.

Originally selected third overall by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2018 NBA Draft, Doncic was traded to Dallas on draft night—a move that kickstarted his storied run.

He made an immediate impact, winning the 2019 NBA Rookie of the Year after averaging 21.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 1.1 steals in just over 32 minutes per game.

For Wednesday's game, the Lakers and Doncic earned their 49th win of the season and clinched a playoff spot. For the first time since the Play-In Tournament came into existence, the Lakers have either participated in it or missed the playoffs entirely.

Now, they will have a week off guaranteed. With one more win, the Lakers will reach 50 wins for the first time since the 2019-20 season and earn a top-three seed in the loaded Western Conference.

Doncic was the main reason they came away on top against his former team. In the contest, Doncic took his game to the next level. In his emotional return to Dallas, he recorded 45 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and four steals.

After a contest in which the Lakers came up short, and Doncic was ejected, it was clear that this game was a must-win. The Lakers did their part to get some revenge on his former team and stick to the Mavericks front office, who didn't believe in him.

The Lakers will shift their focus to the Houston Rockets on Friday in their final regular season home game.

More Lakers: NBA Rescinds Lakers’ Luka Doncic Technical That Led to Ejection

Lakers Star Luka Doncic Speaks on Emotional Dallas Homecoming

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