Luka Doncic in tears in emotional Mavs return amid epic 45-point revenge

Luka Doncic was in tears in his emotionally charged, highly-anticipated return to Dallas before producing a vintage display.

Luka Doncic was in tears in his emotionally charged, highly-anticipated return to Dallas.

And the LA Lakers superstar let it all out on the court in a dominant 45-point explosion against his old team.

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Ahead of the Lakers’ 112-97 win at American Airlines Center on Thursday (all times AEST), Doncic watched Dallas’ tribute video to him with tears in his eyes during player introductions in touching scenes.

It was Doncic’s first time returning to Dallas, who drafted him with the No. 3 pick in the 2018 NBA draft, since February’s shock trade that sent him to LA in exchange for a package centred around Anthony Davis.

It came just months after Doncic led the Mavs to the NBA Finals, losing to Boston.

Luka Doncic is emotional watching a tribute video before the game. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

The 26-year old wiped away tears as he embraced with teammates after the tribute including hugging LeBron James, while Mavericks fans passionately welcomed back their former superstar.

Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki, who travelled to LA to watch Doncic’s first game in purple and gold, was shown in the stands.

Doncic quickly let his on court play do the talking, scoring 31 of his 45 points in the first half while being cheered by his former fan base.

“He revealed those emotions, he let it out. This 30-point first half is a part of that healing process,” NBA champion Richard Jefferson said on ESPN at half-time.

It marked the Slovenian superstar’s 46th career 40-point game, shooting 16-of-28 from the field with eight rebounds, six assists, four steals and seven three-pointers in a trademark performance.

The whole thing still doesn't feel like real life.

— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) April 10, 2025

Luka was holding back tears and could barely even watch that tribute. Top 5 player in the world who wanted to spend his entire career in that Mavs jersey and they shipped him out. I will never understand that move. Ever.

— ✨🦫America Is Musty🦫✨ (@DragonflyJonez) April 9, 2025

imagine getting dumped by someone you loved and your ex has you come over two months later to watch your greatest hits.

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) April 9, 2025

He became the second player in NBA history with a 45-point game for and against the same team in a season in NBA history, joining Wilt Chamberlain in 1964/65 when he was traded from the Philadelphia 76ers, according to ESPN.

Doncic said post-match he felt “so may emotions” in his return to Dallas and even questioned during the pre-game tribute if he’d be able to play.

“I came here as a young kid at 18 (years old). I didn’t know what to expect from the NBA and they made me feel like home. Just a lot of great, great memories,” he told ESPN.

“I don’t know how I did it. Because when I watched that (tribute) video I was like ‘there’s no way I’m playing this game’.

“Fire Nico” signs while Lakers’ Luka Doncic is at the free throw line in Dallas return pic.twitter.com/C3tyVboewm

— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) April 10, 2025

“But all my teammates had my back and were really supportive, so I really appreciated that.

“I love these fans, I love this city but it’s time to move on.”

Meanwhile Mavs fans, just like they did in the games that followed the trade, brutally sledged Dallas general manager Nico Harrison as “fire Nico” chants sounded around American Airlines Center.

The Mavericks opened the fourth quarter on an 11-2 run to take the lead before LA responded in a major way through James, who scored 13 of his 27 points in the final period.

Doncic iced the win for LA with a step-back three followed by a floater inside the final two minutes, before receiving more cheers from Mavericks fans in a standing ovation during the time-out.

Doncic hugs Markieff Morris during team introductions. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Doncic had a monster game against his old team. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images via AFP)

“Plenty of Luka love here at the America Airlines Arena … cheers continued through the time-out and ‘Luka’ chants,” ESPN commentator Mike Breen said.

The win saw the 49-31 Lakers move a step closer to locking down the West’s third seed, while the 10th-seeded Mavericks, without Kyrie Irving (ACL) for the remainder of the campaign, fell to 38-42.

It was Doncic’s second time facing his former side, with the Lakers defeating Dallas 107-99 in LA on February 26.

Davis tallied 13 points, 11 rebounds and six assists in his first game against LA since the trade after being sidelined for six weeks with an adductor injury.

Originally published as Luka Doncic in tears in emotional Mavs return amid epic 45-point revenge