The first time Luka Doncic went into the American Airlines Center following his blockbuster trade away from the Dallas Mavericks, it was a spectacle for all to see. With no love lost for Doncic and the Mavericks, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar has to love seeing his former team in the same group for the 2025-26 NBA Cup.
The league announced the group draw results on Twitter/X today. The Lakers will be in West B for the NBA Cup. Joining them are the aforementioned Mavericks, along with the Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, and the New Orleans Pelicans.
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The Lakers, of course, are one of only two teams to win the NBA's new in-season tournament. They were the inaugural recipients of the trophy in its first season of play, taking down the Indiana Pacers in the finals of the event during the 2023-24 NBA campaign. The Milwaukee Bucks won it in 2024-25.
Doncic and company will have some extra motivation to perform in this year's tournament. Adding a little bit of extra stakes to a matchup that is already growing towards a rivalry should make for an excellent viewing experience.
Doncic's warpath against the Mavericks can continue in NBA Cup
Doncic's first opportunity to play his former team came on Feb. 25 when the Lakers hosted the visiting Mavericks. A tight affair finished with Los Angeles on top 107-99 following a triple-double, with 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists, for the Lakers point guard.
The first game back in Dallas was cinematic for Doncic. The five-time All-NBA member came in and immediately started dominating in the scoring department after an emotional build-up to the contest in the pregame. The Slovenian superstar finished with 45 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and four steals in a 112-97 victory.
It is clear that Doncic is the type of player who really thrives in those big moments. The NBA Cup may still be a developing stage. However, the added motivation to stick it to his old team in an elevated environment like that should have Luka licking his chops.
The only better head-to-head setting for the Lakers and Mavericks that next season could have to offer would be a meeting in the 2026 NBA Playoffs. Unless that comes to pass, this would be the best opportunity to twist the knife for the former Mavericks superstar. The popcorn buckets will be out for this one.