It's been almost a year since the Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. It was a controversial move that was poorly received by fans, who loved the Slovenian superstar. That much was evident in Doncic's first game in Dallas as a Laker, where we was welcomed warmly by fans during the game.
That love for Doncic has not faded at all. Doncic returned to the American Airlines Center for the second time since he was traded. Despite the Lakers star getting the usual away team introduction, the Slovenian superstar was still greeted by a loud ovation by the fans in attendance.
Luka Doncic with a LOUD introduction in his second game back in Dallas as a member of the Lakers ð¥
(via @espn)
pic.twitter.com/dUi69hb2Ev
â ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 25, 2026
Doncic also heard MVP chants from the Mavericks crowd.
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Some âMVPâ chants for Luka Doncic at the free throw line here in Dallas pic.twitter.com/ZuzKTQYUT1
â Joey Mistretta (@JoeyMistretta_) January 25, 2026
The Doncic trade is arguably the biggest trade that the NBA world has seen in recent history. Most stars are traded when they're about hit the end of their prime, if they've expressed discontent with their team, or if they haven't seen great results. Doncic was still in the middle of his prime, has openly said that he wanted to retire with the Mavericks, and Dallas was coming off a Finals appearance. By all accounts, things seemed well, which made the Doncic trade even more flabbergasting.
Now, the Mavericks are suffering the consequences of their actions. The Mavs got Anthony Davis and Max Christie back in the trade. Christie has been a solid starter for Dallas, and Davis, when he's healthy, is still a force on defense. However, Davis continues to struggle with injuries, and rumors of a Davis trade already swirl less than a year after they got him. The Mavericks are just 19-26 entering their game against the Lakers.
Doncic, meanwhile, is thriving with the Lakers. The former Mavericks first-round pick is averaging a cool 33.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game as the Lakers are contending for a top spot in the Western Conference.