Lakers win as Luka Doncic nets 45 in return to Dallas

Field Level Media|published: Wed 9th April, 22:41 2025

Apr 9, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots past Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall (13) during the second quarter at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Luka Doncic scored 31 of his 45 points in the first half of his highly anticipated Dallas homecoming as the visiting Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Mavericks 112-97 on Wednesday.

Doncic's 46th career 40-point game was complemented by eight rebounds and six assists, while connecting on 16 of 28 from the floor and 7 of 10 3-pointers.

LeBron James posted 27 points and seven boards, and Rui Hachimura added 15 points as the Lakers (49-31) bolstered their grip on the third spot in the Western Conference.

Naji Marshall contributed 23 points and eight assists for Dallas, P.J. Washington scored 14, and Anthony Davis -- in his first game for Dallas against his old side -- finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds and six assists.

The result leaves Dallas (38-42) still requiring one more win to secure the 10th position in the West.

Doncic, traded from Dallas to Los Angeles for Davis as part of a blockbuster deal on Feb. 2, became emotional during a pregame video tribute, before receiving a deafening applause when his name was called during the starting lineup announcements.

Doncic, who averaged a franchise-record 28.6 points in 422 games for Dallas, received rousing cheers with every possession or score, particularly early.

His 14 first-quarter points were offset by five Los Angeles turnovers, as the Marshall-led Mavericks moved ahead 30-26 at the first break.

Doncic dominated the second period, draining 3 of 3 treys and scoring 17 of his team's 34 points, as Los Angeles took a 60-57 lead at halftime.

James, who had just eight first-half points as he played second fiddle to Doncic, came alive in the third and helped the Lakers' cushion balloon to 78-65, before Marshall single-handedly weathered the storm for Dallas and trimmed the gap back to 83-76 with a quarter to play.

Max Christie's tip-dunk edged the Mavs in front 84-83, but their time ahead was brief as James spearheaded a 9-0 Los Angeles response inside 90 seconds, and the Lakers were never remotely threatened again.

Doncic's stepback 3-pointer and strong drive blew the margin out to 110-94 before the five-time All-NBA First-Team selection substituted out with 1:34 remaining to a standing ovation.

--Field Level Media