Wednesday night marks a moment the entire NBA world has been anticipating since Luka Dončić’s blockbuster trade to the Los Angeles Lakers on February 1. For the first time since the deal, Dončić will return to Dallas—only this time, he’ll be walking into the American Airlines Center from the visiting locker room. The night promises to be emotional for fans, the Mavericks organization, and Dončić himself.
Dallas enters the matchup holding onto the 10th spot in the Western Conference, teetering on the edge of officially clinching a Play-In Tournament berth. The Mavs are awaiting the results of other key games across the league to lock in their postseason fate. Earlier this week, they signed two-way guard Brandon Williams to a standard two-year NBA contract, adding depth ahead of the stretch run.
Wednesday will also mark the first home appearance in a Lakers uniform for Anthony Davis and Max Christie since the trade. For Davis, it’ll be his first time playing against the Mavericks this season after sitting out their last visit due to injury.
In that previous matchup, Los Angeles came away with a 107–99 win. Dončić recorded a triple-double in the victory—19 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists. The Mavericks were without key contributors that night, including Davis, Daniel Gafford, Caleb Martin, and Dereck Lively II. Now, they’ll be without Kyrie Irving, who dropped 35 points along with 7 rebounds and 4 assists in that loss.
With rosters reshuffled and emotions running high, this rematch has all the makings of a heated showdown.
The Mavericks will remain at home for their next matchup, hosting the Toronto Raptors on Friday night at American Airlines Center.
