1 week Ago By Oliver Browning
Luka Doncic equalled a 60-year-old Wilt Chamberlain record as he made his emotional return to Dallas.Wednesday night’s game between the Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers had been circled on the calendars of every NBA fan ever since the five-time All-Star was traded in February.Doncic returned to Dallas for the first time since his blockbuster trade on WednesdayGettyThe blockbuster move shifted the landscape of the league, and left Shams Charania, the insider who broke the news, shaking as he reported it.
Nine weeks after Doncic departed Dallas, he returned to the American Airlines Center and showed out.The Slovenian star put up 45 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists as he led the Lakers to a 112-97 win, clinching a playoff spot for Los Angeles in the process.His performance was historic, as Doncic became the first NBA player since Chamberlain in 1964-65 to score 45 points for and against the same team in one season.
The 26-year-old scored 45 for the Mavericks in a win over the Golden State Warriors in December, and was then traded to the Lakers in February, before returning to drop 45 on Dallas.Chamberlain, meanwhile, scored 63 points for the San Francisco Warriors against the Philadelphia 76ers in November of the 1964-1965 season.He was then traded to the 76ers midway through the year, and scored 48 points in a win over the Cincinnati Royals in March.
While the NBA icon scored 45 points or more 12 times in 38 games for the Warriors, that was the only time that season he scored 45 or more in 35 games with the Sixers.Speaking about his record-equalling performance post-game, Doncic admitted that he didn’t know how he pulled it off after becoming emotional before tip-off.Tears flowed down his cheeks as the Mavericks played a two-minute tribute video for him before his pregame introduction.
It’s clear that he’s still getting over the heartbreak after suddenly being shipped away from the city he hoped would be his NBA home forever.The Mavericks paid tribute to Doncic ahead of tip-offGettyThe Slovenian star was left emotional as he sat on the Lakers benchGettyDoncic went on to put up 45 points and match a Chamberlain recordGetty“I don’t know how I did it. Because when I was watching that video, I was like, ‘There’s no way I’m playing this game'”, Doncic said of his return.
“I love these fans, I love this city, but it’s time to move on.“So many emotions. I can’t explain it.
It brought tears to my eyes. I came here as a young kid, 18, not knowing what to expect from the NBA. They made me feel like home.
“I have a lot of great, great memories.”While Doncic felt the love inside the arena, many Mavericks fans also made their feelings clear for general manager Nico Harrison.Mavericks fans targeted GM Harrison with chants during the loss to the LakersGettyThroughout the night, when the Lakers went to the free throw line, loud ‘Fire Nico!’ chants echoed throughout American Airlines Center.
Harrison, who was responsible for bringing the trade concept to LA that sent Doncic to the Lakers and brought Anthony Davis to the Mavericks, spent the game standing in a tunnel near midcourt, mostly out of view.Once Doncic had checked out with 1:34 left in the fourth and the win confirmed, the crowd chanted ‘Fire Nico!’ couple more times.The unrest was even referenced on ESPN’s broadcast of the game.
“It’s a fan base that feels cheated,” Doris Burke said.“He expected and I think he feels like was stabbed in the back because of the way it was done.“You can feel it in this arena, the love they’ve got for this guy.
”On an emotional night, the Lakers improved to 49-31 to book their playoff spot and will next host the Houston Rockets.The Mavericks, meanwhile, dropped to 38-42 and will take on the Toronto Raptors at home on Friday.View Tweet: https://t.
co/ZAzfpLigsE.
