Luka Doncic’s return to Dallas caused stormy reactions
A year after the shocking trade that sent him from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers, Luka Dončić remains a beloved figure in the Lone Star State. Mavericks fans are still upset about the trade itself, but don’t blame Doncic and are ready to show the star guard some love ahead of his return on Saturday night.
The Mavericks already presented Doncic with a gift package when he last returned to Dallas in April 2025. Regardless, fans are feeling the emotion again as the 26-year-old prepares to lead the Lakers to American Airlines Center on Saturday afternoon.
Doncic opened the gates posting a picture of his car at his home in Dallas before the game.
Luka returned HOME☺☺☺ pic.twitter.com/aPkbio1Oeu
— linz (@linziekate) January 23, 2026
“The goat is home,” one fan commented.
“This just makes me sad tbh,” wrote an emotional fan. “Luka belongs in Dallas. He’s had his entire career as a Dallas Maverick, and this timeline we’re living in right now is the worst possible on almost every front.”
“Just in time for bad weather!” another Mavericks fan joked. “Maybe they’ll get stuck here and we can just bring AD back instead.”
“Luca will one day be a Mav again and pair up with Prime Minister Cooper Flagg (One can dream)”
The Mavericks haven’t beaten the Lakers since the Doncic trade, going 0-3 in their last three games. The last time they played in Dallas, Doncic dropped 45 pointseight rebounds and six assists led Los Angeles to a 112-97 victory in front of its former fans.
2026-01-24 20:36:00
