The Los Angeles Lakers got a massive comeback victory against the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday. It was another homecoming for Luka Doncic after the trade to LA back in February 2025.
Considering he was such a fixture of Dallas basketball, Doncic still felt a bit weird. He grew accustomed to playing at the American Airlines Center that he was confused about which locker room he would go to.
Doncic admits another awkward moment in return to Dallas
It has been almost a year since the blockbuster trade that rocked the sports world. Doncic seems to be comfortable playing for the Lakers now, especially with the contract extension he signed in the offseason.
He loved Dallas with all his heart, but the franchise traded him away. It can be hard to accept that, especially with his undying love for the city and its fans. His connection to Dallas is strong enough to make the mistake of going to his old locker room.
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Saturday's game was superb, as Doncic had another fantastic performance. He had 33 points, eight rebounds, and 11 assists to lead the Lakers to the victory. It was a comeback win, as they had to go on a huge fourth-quarter run.
This was a superb result for the Lakers, as they showed they can get past adversity. It also sweetened Doncic's return to Dallas, as he still showed his connections to the franchise at halftime when he almost went to his old locker room.
"I think today, yeah. I remember the first time I was here, I wanted to go to the locker room. I think today, at halftime, I was going to the other tunnel," Doncic said about his confusion about the locker rooms.
Doncic is familiar with leaving places he considered home. He was born and raised in Slovenia, but he had to go to Madrid to chase his basketball dreams. As he stood out for Real Madrid, he reached the NBA, where he had to move again.
Nowadays, it appears that Doncic is right at home with the Lakers. This is a great development, especially after the jarring trade he had to go through in 2025.
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