Jalen Brunson Says It's 'Weird' Luka Doncic Isn't With Mavericks After Knicks-Lakers

A year after the fact, it still surprises a lot of people that Luka Doncic isn't with the Mavericks.

Feb 1, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) drives to the basket against Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The NBA schedule makers had to be laughing to themselves on Sunday. The Los Angeles Lakers were in Madison Square Garden on Sunday evening to play the New York Knicks, giving fans a national TV matchup of two former Dallas Mavericks stars, Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson, on the one-year anniversary of the infamous trade that sent Doncic to the Lakers.

The Knicks came away with the win, 112-100, and Doncic had a big game, as he always does, finishing with 30 points, 15 rebounds, and 8 assists. He may not have been the most efficient, but he still controlled the game in a way that no one can. Brunson, meanwhile, finished with 12 points, 13 assists, and 7 rebounds while struggling to shoot from the floor.

Afterwards, Brunson was asked if it's still weird seeing Doncic in a different uniform. "Definitely weird," Brunson responded. "I think we all expected him to be in Dallas for the longest time. Now he's a Laker, and he's playing great and still doing the things he does."

Jalen Brunson says it's "definitely weird" to see Luka Dončić in a Lakers jersey:

"I think we all expected him to be in Dallas for the longest time. Now he's a Laker and he's playing great and still doing the things he does." pic.twitter.com/gtvnJM5Amu

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) February 2, 2026

Brunson also wanted to stay a Maverick initially, but the Mavericks weren't interested in playing ball in negotiations at first. Then, Brunson blew up in the playoffs before free agency, had a chance to join his dad with the New York Knicks, and that was too good an opportunity to pass up. In hindsight, the Mavericks obviously should've signed Brunson to the four-year, $55 million extension he was eligible to sign, but he was coming off a rough playoffs in 2021, and it wasn't solidified that he would become a rotation player yet.

Instead, he walked in free agency, leaving Luka Doncic without a co-star. They took a risk halfway through the year in a trade for Kyrie Irving, which ended up working out tremendously. In their first full season together, they went to the NBA Finals. And for some reason that no one understands, Nico Harrison blew up that combination.

READ MORE: Mavericks Without NBA All-Star for First Time in Eight Seasons

From Two Elite Point Guards to None

Because Kyrie Irving is now recovering from a torn ACL, the Mavericks' lack of point guard play is beyond subpar. They signed D'Angelo Russell this offseason, who has played just one game since the turn of the new year as Jason Kidd doesn't want to give him any burn.

That has left a point guard rotation of Brandon Williams and two-way contract Ryan Nembhard, with Jaden Hardy sprinkled in sometimes. Cooper Flagg and Naji Marshall have also spent a lot of time as the primary ball-handlers. But going from Luka Doncic, Jalen Brunson, and Kyrie Irving to this hodgepodge is disappointing.

READ MORE: Mavericks' Dream of Trading Wasted Free Agent Signing May Be Dead

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