Former Mavericks superstar forward Luka Dončić will make his first-ever return to the American Airlines Center on Wednesday as Dallas takes on the Los Angeles Lakers at 6:30 p.m.
Dončić was drafted by the Mavericks in 2018 and fully expected to play for the franchise for his entire career; however, General Manager Nico Harrison and the Mavericks organization had different plans.
Dončić has consistently talked about how he was blindsided by this decision and never expected to be sent away for another team, especially after a year in which he led Dallas to its third NBA Finals appearance in franchise history.
Now, he returns to the metroplex for the first time as a Laker.
This matchup will be just the second time these teams have played since the trade, with the Lakers winning the first matchup in February, but it will be the first time Dončić has ever played in the AAC as a visitor.
Mavericks Head Coach Jason Kidd said earlier this week that there is “no doubt that (the fans) have that right and they should cheer for him,” but the team will be focused on securing the win and a spot in the upcoming playoffs.
“It is emotional, I think, anytime anybody is traded,” Kidd added, per Mavs.com.
“So, coming back for the first time or even the second time or the third time — because of the memories of being able to get to the Western Conference Finals or to be able to get to the (NBA) Finals, or to be an All-Star – the things that he has done in a short amount of time is incredible.”
Kidd added that this will likely be an emotional matchup for Dončić after spending over six seasons with the Mavericks.
Dončić was straightforward when discussing the upcoming game, saying that “it’s going to be a lot of emotion” for him to deal with.
“I don’t even know what to expect. I don’t know how I’m going to feel, honestly. I know I’m looking forward to being back in Dallas, obviously with the fans, teammates—ex-teammates. It’s going to be very emotional for me for sure,” he said, according to Sports Illustrated.
The Mavericks reportedly plan to show a tribute video for Dončić at some point during the game and attempted to set up lucrative sponsorship deals in preparation for his return, according to ESPN.
However, Dončić shut down any possibility of the Mavericks setting up a sponsorship deal, noting that he now plays for the Lakers and his own team can manage those deals.
This matchup will also be incredibly important for the Mavericks’ standings in the Western Conference. One more victory is needed to secure a spot in the play-in tournament.
Dallas is currently three games ahead of the Phoenix Suns for the final seed in this tournament, meaning the team needs just one more win to guarantee themselves a spot in the postseason.
Although this game will guarantee them a shot at the play-in tournament, the team still has a long way to go before it can consider making the playoffs.
If the Mavericks win one more game, they would likely have to win two road games against the Sacramento Kings and one more team before making the first round.
From there, the Mavericks’ reward would be a series against the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder, who are currently on a historic win pace as the best team in the league.
Following the matchup against the Lakers, Dallas will finish the season with a home game against the Toronto Raptors and a road game against the Memphis Grizzlies.