By Dorothy J Gentry
Sports Editor
Photos: Charles “City” Gbadebo; Video: NBA on ESPN
Tears. Shouts of “Fire Nico.” Smiles. Hugs. And a dominating performance.
The emotions were all over the place Wednesday night as Luka Dončić returned to Dallas and American Airlines Center for the first time since the shocking February 2nd trade that sent him to the Los Angeles Lakers.
And he’s still as loved as ever.
Every time he touched the ball, went to the free throw line or otherwise showed up on the court, MFFL’s lost their collective minds and shouted “MVP. MVP” and cheered him on; their love-affair with the kid from Slovenia just as real and solid as ever.
The emotions of the night became abundantly clear minutes before the game began when Mavericks’ tribute video reduced the 26-year-old to open tears.
“After that video, I was like, ‘there’s no way I’m playing this game,’” Dončić said after the game. “It was so many emotions.”
Despite the emotion that hung like a thick cloud over the arena – Luka had 31 points – in the first half– along with 3 rebounds and 3 assists. He would finish the game with 45 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals, leading the Lakers to a 112-97 win and helping them to secure a playoff spot.
“I just went out and played basketball,” he said.
Lakers Head Coach JJ Redick said he couldn’t believe what Luka was able to do after the emotions and tears following the tribute video.
“The moment with the tribute video and him sitting by himself and getting to actually live that and live in the moment and allowing himself to be vulnerable – some of his teammates got emotional, some of the coaches got emotional, it was a beautiful moment. I thought the video was great,” Redick said.
“His ability to then go perform. Lights turn on. He’s teary-eyed still as we walk out for the tip-ball. To have the emotional resolve to go put on that kind of performance, it’s super-human.
“And I think all his teammates know that, too, because I think all his teammates can empathize with what he just went through the last couple months,”Redick continued. “And maybe some anticipation, maybe some dread, but certainly a ton of emotions about tonight. And then he went and did that. It’s big-time.”
Teammate LeBron James finished with a double-double, posting 27 points and seven rebounds.
Dončić received a standing ovation from the Dallas crowd as he checked out of the game for the final time. Afterward he stayed on the court greeting and embracing former teammates, celebrity guests in the building like Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and former Mavs owner Mark Cuban.
The game was also a reunion for Anthony Davis and Max Christie with their former teammates – who were acquired by Dallas in the trade.
It was clear from his reaction and raw emotion to the tribute video that Dončić was likely never going to leave Dallas.
But he has; although not of his own will. What was also clear Wednesday night is that Dončić will always carry a piece of the Mavs franchise and city in his heart; the city that embraced him and made his basketball dreams come true.
“Those are my brothers,” he said of his former teammates. “I know we’re not on the same team now, but we went through wars together. It was nice to see everybody.
“When you talk about closure, it’s sometimes hard,” he said. “I spent a lot of time here, great moments. But I got to focus on different things now. It (the game) was an amazing experience, the way the fans accepted me, cheered for me. It was just unbelievable. I had a great time.”
Then he thinks about it and acknowledges the Mavs fan base once more. “All these fans, I really appreciate it. I’m just happy. I love these fans, I love this city, but it’s time to move on.”
