No questionable ejection this time around, only a vengeful Luka Doncic performance in a place where he once called home.
Doncic exploded for 45 points to banner a 112-97 LA Lakers rebound at the expense of the Dallas Mavericks to clinch a playoff spot, Thursday, April 10.
LUKA.
— NBA (@NBA) April 10, 2025
40-BALL IN HIS DALLAS RETURN.
📺 ESPN
The Slovenian superstar added eight rebounds, seven threes, and six assists in his first game back in Dallas since the seismic move that sent him to Tinseltown and Anthony Davis to the Big D. He couldn't help but be emotional upon watching the video tribute by the Mavericks and then proceeded to uncork a 31-point bomb in the first half.
Luka got emotional watching his tribute video from the Mavs 🥹
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 9, 2025
It also marked a resounding response for Doncic after being tossed out in the fourth quarter of LA’s 136-120 road loss to the OKC Thunder on Wednesday, April 10.
[ALSO READ: SGA erupts for 42 in resounding Thunder revenge vs Lakers for franchise-record 65th win]
LeBron James added 24 points in which 13 came in the fourth quarter on the night he passed six-time champion Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for second place in the all-time games played list with 1,561 and counting.
Congrats to @KingJames of the @Lakers for moving into 2nd on the all-time GAMES PLAYED list!
— NBA (@NBA) April 9, 2025
More importantly, the Lakers (49-31) punched a postseason ticket for the third consecutive season and fifth time in the last six years.
Meanwhile, Naji Marshall topscored the Mavericks (38-42) with 23 markers while Davis posted a 13-point, 11-rebound double-double against the team he helped win the championship in 2020.
Luka on one end, AD on the other!
— NBA (@NBA) April 9, 2025
DAL leads 19-17 early on ESPN. pic.twitter.com/Z1syEgg6WF
Up next for the Lakers are the Houston Rockets (52-27) while the Mavericks host the Toronto Raptors (30-50).
(With reports from Pao Ambat)
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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]
