Luka Doncic and the Lakers to face Dallas Mavericks weeks after shock trade

By Laina Gustafson
Former Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic is set to face his old team Tuesday night, just 23 days after his shocking trade to the Los Angeles Lakers. 

Doncic has been dominating the Lakers offense alongside Lebron James. In Saturday’s surprising win in Denver, Doncic contributed 32 points, ten rebounds, seven assists, and four steals to the Lakers’ 123-100 score. 

Dorian Finney-Smith, a Lakers forward who previously played with Doncic on the Mavericks, said, “We’ve got his back. It’s going to be a hard-fought game.” Doncic declined to comment on the matchup. 

The trade between Doncic, Anthony Davis, and Max Christie caused an immediate uproar from Mavericks fans, who mourned the loss of the 25-year-old Slovenian point guard. In press conferences after the trade, Doncic said the news was a “big shock.” 

“(Dallas) was home, so it was really hard moments for me. … (But now) I get to play in the greatest club in the world, and I’m excited for this new journey,” Doncic said.