Dallas Mavericks

Lakers' Luka Doncic gets emotional after watching Mavericks tribute video

The Mavs played a tribute video for Doncic in his first time back in Dallas since the blockbuster trade.

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Mavs fans are showing their love for Luka Doncic during his much anticipated return to Dallas. Meredith Yeomans has the coverage with the outpouring of support.

It appears Luka Doncic is still not over leaving Dallas.

Doncic was back playing basketball in Dallas on Wednesday -- but not wearing blue and white.

The Los Angeles Lakers star returned to the city that drafted him for the first time since the blockbuster trade in early February, with the Mavericks playing a tribute video before tipoff to honor his contributions.

Doncic got emotional as the video continued.

To briefly recap, the Mavericks, led by general manager Nico Harrison, traded Doncic, a five-time All-Star, to the Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a future first-round pick.

The Mavericks, who made the 2024 NBA Finals but lost, have regressed since the move as Davis suffered a multi-week injury shortly after, followed by Kyrie Irving's torn ACL, among other notable injuries.

Meanwhile, Doncic has been vital to Los Angeles' resurgence toward the top of the Western Conference. Now partnered with LeBron James, Doncic leads the Lakers in points, rebounds, assists, steals, 3-pointers and plus-minus since the move.

Doncic did play the Mavericks once prior to Wednesday, but it came in Los Angeles on Feb. 25. Doncic had a 19-point, 15-rebound, 12-assist triple-double in the Lakers' 107-99 win.

Along with the tribute video, the Mavericks also laid out shirts for fans in attendance. A white shirt with black lettering, it read "Thank you for everything" in Slovenian.

Fans ready to greet Doncic as a Lakers player
Luka Doncic returns to Dallas for the first time since his shocking trade to Los Angeles. NBC 5's Meredith Yeomans was at the AAC where fans were out in full force all day.
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