Luka Doncic (Photo via NBA on ESPN)
Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic was moved tremendously by the Dallas Mavericks’ video tribute to him on Wednesday night.

Doncic returned to Dallas tonight for the first time as an opponent, having been sent to the Lakers in arguably the most shocking trade in American sports history on Feb. 2. In return, the Mavericks received fellow All-Star Anthony Davis, a 2029 first-round pick Max Christie.

So here’s Luka Doncic back in Dallas tonight in a scene that nobody could have envisioned a year ago: In the purple and gold uniform colors, working alongside LeBron James in The King’s quest for a fifth championship.

Before the game, the Mavericks paid tribute to the five-time All-Star with an emotional video tribute that left Doncic in tears:

Aside from the Luka Doncic storyline, Wednesday’s contest is pivotal for both teams. The Lakers (48-31) are looking to lock down the third seed in the Western Conference, while the 38-41 Mavericks are trying to catch the Sacramento Kings for home advantage in the 9 vs. 10 play-in game.

The Luka Doncic Trade Still Doesn’t Make Sense

Luka Doncic (Photo by Brad Penner/Imagn Images)
The Doncic trade stunned everybody for three obvious reasons. For starters, there was no indicator that Doncic wanted out of Dallas, having just led them to the NBA Finals last season.

Secondly, 26-year-old superstars in the early stages of their prime years are hardly traded. And thirdly, the return for a top-five player was awfully underwhelming, as Davis is a significant injury risk and six years Doncic’s senior.

By trading Doncic, the Mavericks alienated a large portion of their fanbase and kissed any realistic championship dreams goodbye. Not that LeBron, the LAkers and their fans are complaining.