Luka Doncic had little time to bid farewell to the Dallas Mavericks faithful before his surprising midseason trade. However, he returned to the American Airlines Center on Wednesday for the first time since the trade. It marked an emotional reunion with the fans who had cheered him on throughout his career in Dallas.
Despite the abrupt departure, the Mavericks honored Doncic with a heartfelt tribute video. Sitting on the bench, Doncic was visibly moved as he watched highlights of his most unforgettable moments in a Lakers uniform. He was unable to hold back tears as memories flooded back.
The night ended on a positive note for Doncic as his new team secured a 112-97 victory over the Mavericks. During the post-game press conference, Doncic shared that his iconic shot during the Western Conference Finals from the tribute video that struck him the most.
“We were the underdogs in every series. The way we came together, played together. It was just another level,” he said.
Luka Dončić said the moment that got him emotional during the tribute video was the shot in the Western Conference Finals.
— Landon Thomas (@sixfivelando) April 10, 2025
“We were the underdogs in every series. The way we came together, played together. The way we came together, played together it was just another level.” pic.twitter.com/p8twYrCd0I
The shot Doncic referred to was his remarkable stepback three-pointer against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2 of last season’s Western Conference Finals. With only three seconds left on the clock, he sank the shot over Rudy Gobert, completing a stunning comeback for the Mavericks. Doncic finished the game with 32 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds.
Luka Doncic Talks Emotional Impact Of Tribute Video
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Before heading to the press conference, Luka Doncic opened up about the emotions he felt after watching the tribute video. He confessed that for a brief moment, he questioned whether he could even play that night due to the overwhelming wave of nostalgia and sentiment.
“I don’t know how I did it. Because when I was watching that video, I was like, ‘There’s no way I’m playing this game‘,” Luka shared.
In his emotional return to Dallas, Luka scored 45 points and eight rebounds against his former team. His dominance on the court since joining the Lakers has been undeniable. With the Lakers now firmly seated as the third seed in the Western Conference, fans are hoping to witness Luka and LeBron James lead the team to a long-awaited 18th NBA championship.
