Published by: Valdemar Carnegie
Updated: 6:07 PM EST, February 26, 2025
Original Photo: Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images
Luka Dončić recorded his first triple-double as a Laker, and it couldn’t have come against a more fitting opponent. Facing his former team, the Dallas Mavericks, and playing in front of general manager Nico Harrison—the man who traded him—Dončić was on a mission. To make it even sweeter, the Lakers came out on top, defeating the Mavericks 107-99. This achievement places Dončić alongside LeBron James and Russell Westbrook as the only players in NBA history to record a triple-double against all 30 teams.
Emotions were high on both sides, as former teammates went head-to-head. Anthony Davis, who was inactive due to injury, and Max Christie were part of the trade that sent Dončić to Los Angeles. Davis got into a brief exchange with former teammate Jarred Vanderbilt during a timeout after Vanderbilt shoved Kyrie Irving. Dončić, meanwhile, made his presence felt early, drilling a 3-pointer in the first quarter and staring down the Mavericks’ bench.
Despite showing emotion, NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal believes Dončić wasn’t petty enough. “I would have used some strong language,” O’Neal said. “I’ve always believed that business should be handled the right way. Trading a player without telling him, especially when he thought he would be like Dirk Nowitzki and be the face of the team, isn’t good business. So I would have had some harsh words for [Harrison], tried to score at least 50 points, and then moved on. But since Luka is still joking and having fun with his teammates, he’s not as upset as we might think.”
Dončić didn’t have his best shooting night, finishing 6-for-17 from the field and just 1-for-7 from beyond the arc. However, he found other ways to impact the game, collecting 15 rebounds, 12 assists, two blocks, and three steals. His ability to attract multiple defenders opened up opportunities for teammates, proving that his basketball IQ is a serious problem for opposing defenses.
Since joining the Lakers, Dončić has totaled nine steals and four blocks in just five games. Ironically, one of the rumored reasons for his trade was his perceived lack of defensive effort. If that was truly a factor, it seems to have motivated him.
With Dončić struggling from the field, his new superstar teammate, LeBron James, stepped up. James finished with 27 points on 11-of-17 shooting, including 16 points in the fourth quarter to help the Lakers close out the game. Afterward, James spoke about Dončić’s performance and the team’s motivation to secure the win. “As his teammates, we wanted to get this win for him,” James said. The chemistry between the two stars appears to be improving with every game.
Dončić admitted he still hasn’t fully processed the trade, calling the experience of facing his former team “weird” and “emotional.” He acknowledged that “closure is going to take a while” but emphasized that each day is getting better. Ultimately, though, he was just happy to get the win.
What do you think about the Lakers since acquiring Dončić? Are they legitimate championship contenders?