LOS ANGELES — All eyes were on Luka Doncic, anticipating his every move in a Lakers uniform in his first game against his former team on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena.
Sections of Lakers fans chanted “Thank you, Nico!” whenever Doncic was at the free-throw line, referencing Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison, who led Dallas in trading Doncic to L.A. just over three weeks ago.
But on a night when Doncic once again struggled with his shot in a Lakers jersey, it was his ability and willingness to step up in other areas, and set up his teammates, that helped the Lakers (35-21) pull out the 107-99 victory over the Mavericks (31-28).
Doncic finished with 19 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists to go with three steals and a pair of blocked shots for his 81st career triple-double – the first 80 of which came in a Mavericks uniform – on an emotional night for the 25-year-old Slovenian superstar, who was blindsided by the seismic trade.
Doncic shot just 35.2% (6 for 17) from the field (including a 1-for-7 showing from 3-point range), but he was still instrumental with his playmaking on a night when the Mavericks defended him aggressively.
His final assist to LeBron James (27 points, 12 rebounds and three assists) on a layup with 32 seconds left sealed the win for the Lakers, their third straight and 15th in their past 19 games dating to Jan. 15.
Doncic warmly greeted his former teammates, but he also took a few portentous looks at the Dallas bench during the night.
Austin Reaves had 20 points, five assists and three rebounds, while Rui Hachimura added 15 points and six rebounds.
The Lakers struggled against the Mavericks’ aggressive defensive schemes, which featured trapping and double-teams Doncic in the post and pick-and-rolls.
Dallas tied at the score at 91-all with a 3-pointer from Naji Marshall with just over six minutes left.
But James took over late, scoring 16 of his points in the fourth quarter and seven of the team’s final 16 points, including a putback dunk off a Doncic missed step-back 15-footer for a 102-96 lead with 2:25 left.
Dorian Finney-Smith also made crucial plays late: setting a screen that freed Doncic for a layup to put the Lakers ahead 94-91; and a putback dunk off a James missed floater to give the Lakers a 98-94 lead.
Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks with a game-high 35 points, seven rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocked shots.
Klay Thompson made five 3-point shots on his way to 22 points and eight rebounds for Dallas, which hit 17 3-pointers.
Former Laker Max Christie scored all 10 of his points in the first half.
Former Lakers big man Anthony Davis couldn’t play due to an adductor injury, but he received the biggest of several standing ovations after the Lakers aired a lengthy tribute video in the first quarter.
More to come on this story.