Luka Dončić is set to take on the Dallas Mavericks for the first time in his career as the team faces off against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday at 9 p.m.
The Mavericks will travel to Los Angeles to face the Lakers in one of the most anticipated games since Dončić was traded away in one of the most shocking trades in NBA history.
Dončić played for the Mavericks for six and a half seasons, and many expected he would eventually retire with the team, having only ever played for them.
Although he struggled during his first few games with the Lakers, Dončić found his stride in his most recent game against the Denver Nuggets with 32 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists in a 23-point win.
Lakers Head Coach J.J. Reddick said he is not concerned about Dončić’s slow start since it will likely take him some time to find a rhythm in his return from injury and become adjusted to a new team.
“Every day that he’s been with us, it’s becoming just a little bit more normal. I’ve been there. The first time you play your old team, particularly this close in time duration, it’s going to be weird. But he’ll be able to handle it,” said Redick, per NBA.com.
Lakers forward and former Maverick Dorian Finney-Smith said “Everybody in the locker room is excited” about the matchup and is prepared to give all their effort for Dončić.
“We’ve got his back. It’s going to be a hard-fought game. I know (Mavs coach Jason) Kidd is going to have them ready to come in here and compete, so we’ve just got to match their intensity,” he added, per NBA.com.
This matchup also marks a significant return to Los Angeles for Mavericks power forward Anthony Davis, who spent five-and-a-half seasons with the franchise before being sent to Dallas.
Although Davis is ruled out for this game due to an ongoing adductor strain he suffered in his Mavericks debut, the Lakers are expected to honor him with a tribute video at some point during the game.
These two teams will also match up later in the season as the Lakers will travel to Dallas on April 9 to face the Mavericks in Dončić’s first road game at American Airlines Center.