By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
With general manager Nico Harrison among the Dallas Mavericks in attendance, Luka Doncic opened his triple-double account with the Los Angeles Lakers and enjoyed a win, 107-99, in crypto.com Arena.
Facing his former team for the first time since being traded to Los Angeles, the Slovenian superstar combined 19 points with 15 rebounds and 12 assists. He added three steals and two blocks.
LUKA MAGIC 🪄pic.twitter.com/tsPhVgCzof
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) February 26, 2025
“I can’t wait to go to sleep, honestly. I’m exhausted,” he mentioned in a postgame interview with TNT, before heading to the postgame press conference.
👀🥶 Luka Doncic stared down the Mavs bench after hitting a triple!
pic.twitter.com/XjOMD2jxkt— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) February 26, 2025
“It was so weird in the moments. I felt like I didn’t know what I was doing. I’m glad we got the win,” the 25-year-old combo guard started the following media session.
“It will definitely help me,” Doncic replied to a question about finding closure following Tuesday’s contest, “I am glad this game is over.”
“The closure is going to take a while. It’s not ideal,” he added.
🥶 Lakers fans thanked Mavs GM, Nico Harrison for the Luka trade while he was in the building to watch the Lakers – Mavs game!
pic.twitter.com/CTqizrngYp— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) February 26, 2025
“Kai is my hermano. We go way beyond basketball,” Doncic commented on facing Kyrie Irving.
On his European teammates, German Maxi Kleber (right foot surgery) remained sidelined and Ukrainian Alex Len did not play for the team coached by JJ Redick.
Eighth straight win for the Cavs
The Lakers improved to 35-21 in the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season. Defeating the Orlando Magic, 122-82, in Kia Center, the Cleveland Cavaliers secured a league-high eight wins in a row and jumped to 48-10.
For the hosts, German Franz Wagner produced 19 points, five rebounds, four assists, one block, and one steal. His brother Moritz Wagner (left knee surgery) remained out, but Georgian teammate Goga Bitadze recorded one point, one block, and one rebound, and German Tristan da Silva had two rebounds, one block, and one assist.