In a highly anticipated matchup, Luka Doncic faced his former team, the Dallas Mavericks, for the first time since his blockbuster trade to the Los Angeles Lakers.
However, one moment stood out: Doncic hugged every Mavericks player and assistant coach but pointedly ignored head coach Jason Kidd.
One by one, every Mavericks player and staff comes to congratulate and hug Luka Doncic. pic.twitter.com/kaEJwHizLL
— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) February 26, 2025
Luka hugged every Mavs player after the game, every assistant coach, didn’t even look at Kidd… he knows.
— Matej Sportinfo (@MatejSportinfo) February 26, 2025
The game itself saw the Lakers secure a 107-99 victory over the Mavericks. Doncic delivered an impressive performance, recording his first triple-double as a Laker with 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists. He showcased his playmaking skills with a spectacular no-look pass reminiscent of Lakers legend Magic Johnson.
The slow motion of the Luka Doncic pass is even crazier bro pic.twitter.com/38H3F719ms
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) February 26, 2025
On February 1, the Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Doncic, along with Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris, to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick. The deal was unexpected, as Doncic had been the cornerstone of the Mavericks franchise since being drafted in 2018. However, concerns about Doncic’s physical conditioning and the looming commitment of another supermax contract extension led the Mavericks to make the difficult decision.
Before and after the game, Doncic was seen embracing his former teammates and staff, sharing heartfelt moments with those he had spent years playing alongside. However, when it came time to greet Jason Kidd, Doncic did not even look in his direction, creating a noticeable and tense moment.
Despite the emotional weight of the game, Doncic remained focused and delivered a stellar performance. He orchestrated the Lakers’ offense with precision, threading passes and controlling the tempo. His chemistry with LeBron James was evident, as the duo connected for crucial plays.
