Tears and Triumph: Luka Drops 45 Points in an Emotional Masterpiece As He Returns To Dallas
"I love these fans. I love this city," said Luka Doncic to his former home crowd as the Lakers exited the American Airlines Center for potentially the final time this season.
Luka subbed out of the game for the final time tonight at 1:34 in the fourth quarter after an emotional and stupendous effort. He dropped 45 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists, shooting 7-10 from the three-point stripe, with 31 of his points coming in the first half.
It was an emotional night for Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks fanbase as the Los Angeles Lakers visited American Airlines Center for their final regular-season matchup against the Mavericks. The night began with a heartfelt tribute video, bringing Luka Doncic to tears before the most anticipated regular-season matchup since 'The Trade' began.
Luka's passion for what this city has raised him to be since age 19 translated immediately onto the floor. He punished the Mavericks early, dropping 14 points in the first quarter alone. Lebron James activated late, contributing 27 points to an emphatic regular-season win that may pin the Lakers to the third seed in a gruesome and competitive Western Conference.
"Fire Nico," chanted the Dallas Mavericks home crowd, not once, not twice; yes, three different times. The chant rang across the American Airlines Center and was most likely heard all around Dallas—once in the game's opening minute and twice in the closing minute.
The Lakers will most likely remain the third seed this season, leaving them open to playing a flurry of teams fighting for playoff positioning between the fourth and eighth seeds in the standings. If that team happens to be the Golden State Warriors, Californians are in for one of the most fantastic playoff matchups of our lives.
The Dallas Mavericks, however, are currently locked into the 10th seed, slated to face the Sacramento Kings team in the 9th seed, led by DeMar DeRozan and Zach Lavine. The Mavericks traded away Luka Doncic, hoping to seek both change from their former franchise direction, which many argued was great, and title contention throughout these next three to four years. With Kyrie Irving suffering a season-ending torn ACL injury in March, the Mavs title chances this season seem all but shot.
Luka Doncic has built an opportunity for himself to become one of the most prolific players the sport of basketball has ever seen. Now, with the legendary market of Los Angeles, the star power of the Lakers allure, and a roster ready to compete now, Luka has every tool necessary to mold and finalize the legacy he wished to start and finish in Dallas.