Luka Dončić shines with triple-double in first meeting with Mavericks

Dončić achieved his first triple-double as a Laker on a memorable night for the Slovenian standout. Just three weeks prior, he was caught off guard by the monumental trade that brought him to Los Angeles in exchange for Anthony Davis.

Dončić warmly greeted his former teammates, but also took a few portentous looks at the Mavs’ bench during the night. He struggled with his shot, going 6-for-17, but capped a superb playmaking performance with an assist to LeBron James for a clinching layup with 32 seconds left.

James helped his new teammate by scoring 16 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter while Los Angeles held on for its third straight win and its 13th in 16 games.

Kyrie Irving scored 35 points and Klay Thompson added 22 for the Mavericks.

Dallas general manager Nico Harrison, who is reviled by many Mavs fans for making the trade, was serenaded by Lakers fans chanting “Thank you, Nico!”