It’s been a challenging few weeks for Luka Doncic, and tonight’s game against the Lakers likely marked a significant moment in that ongoing saga. While he’ll be hoping to move past the drama for now, the rivalry with the Lakers isn’t over—especially with their next meeting set for late April in Dallas. For now, though, Luka’s focus is on getting some rest.
After the game, Luka shared a warm moment with his former teammate, Kyrie Irving. The two played together for about two seasons and were instrumental in the Mavs’ playoff run last year. Now, both are trying to lead their teams back to championship contention. In this contest, it was a battle of stars with Luka facing off against LeBron James, who finished the night with 27 points and 12 rebounds, guiding the Lakers to a crucial win in the final minutes.
LeBron took over late, as he often does. The Lakers were ahead by as much as 16 at halftime, but the Mavericks fought their way back, tying the game in the fourth quarter. That’s when LeBron stepped up, making key plays to give the Lakers the cushion they needed.
Luka was everywhere on the court, putting up 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists. While he struggled with his shooting—finishing just 6-of-17 from the field—he contributed in nearly every other aspect of the game. His performance underscored his all-around ability, even when the shots weren’t falling.
The game also marked the first triple-double in a Lakers jersey for Luka, a feat that fans can expect to see more of in the future. While Luka may have had the first laugh, the Lakers came out on top, with LeBron continuing to prove why he’s one of the game’s all-time greats.
As for the Mavs, their efforts weren’t enough to overcome the Lakers’ late-game execution, but it was clear that they weren’t backing down. Kyrie Irving, a key piece in the Mavericks’ Finals push last season, had a stellar performance of his own. He poured in 35 points, including 14 in the first quarter, helping keep the Mavs in the game.
The intensity of the matchup reflected the stakes—both teams playing with the kind of urgency you’d expect in the postseason. Despite the rivalry, there was respect between the players, with Luka and Kyrie exchanging greetings post-game and acknowledging the competitive spirit that has defined their careers.
Meanwhile, Anthony Davis, who was traded for Luka back in the day, received a warm tribute from the Lakers crowd at Crypto.com Arena. The crowd even chanted “Thank you, Nico” at one point, showing their appreciation for the front-office moves that brought Davis to LA.
While Luka didn’t get the win this time, he showed his teammates and the Lakers faithful that he’s ready for the challenge ahead. As the Mavs and Lakers continue to battle for supremacy, fans can expect even more thrilling matchups between these two teams, especially as both squads continue to build for the future.
Here’s the updated version with newsroom.com:
🏀 99-107
Luka lobs it up to LeBron again, and he gathers and puts it up and in.
Posted at: 00:23 EST 26/02/2025
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🎯 99-105
Doncic sends Kyrie to the line after the bucket and he hits the FT.
Posted at: 00:22 EST 26/02/2025
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⏱️ 96-105
Timeout Mavs with 1:05 to go.
Posted at: 00:20 EST 26/02/2025
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🔒 96-105
LeBron finds Hachimura down low and he seals this game with a layup from underneath.
Posted at: 00:19 EST 26/02/2025
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🏀 96-103
Hachimura to the line and he hits one of two after the foul on Washington.
Posted at: 00:18 EST 26/02/2025
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⏳ 96-102
1:30 to go.
Posted at: 00:17 EST 26/02/2025
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🔨 96-102
Luka missed the short jumper in the lane and LeBron was there to smash it back!
Posted at: 00:17 EST 26/02/2025
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🎯 96-100
Irving with the leaner off the glass.
Posted at: 00:17 EST 26/02/2025
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💪 94-100
Hachimura with the pick pocket at half court and he slams it home.
Posted at: 00:16 EST 26/02/2025
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🔁 94-98
LeBron missed the floater but Finney-Smith was there with the tip slam.
Posted at: 00:16 EST 26/02/2025
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🎯 94-96
Kyrie from the top of the key and he gets the friendly bounce off the front of the rim!
Posted at: 00:15 EST 26/02/2025
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✨ 91-96
Luka with the lob from half court and LeBron makes the catch, gathers and lays it up.
Timeout Mavs with 4:05 to go.
Posted at: 00:12 EST 26/02/2025
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💥 91-94
Doncic down the left side of the lane and he lays it up and in.
Posted at: 00:11 EST 26/02/2025
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🏀 91-92
James to the line after the foul on Marshall and he hits one of two FTs.
Posted at: 00:09 EST 26/02/2025
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⏳ 91-91
Timeout Lakers with 5:30 to go in the fourth quarter.
Posted at: 00:06 EST 26/02/2025
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🎯 91-91
Marshall in the corner and he ties the game with a three ball!
Posted at: 00:05 EST 26/02/2025
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💪 88-91
Luka kicks it out to LeBron and he sticks the three ball!
Posted at: 00:05 EST 26/02/2025
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🔥 88-88
Thompson with another three ball off the offensive rebound and kick out from Marshall!
Posted at: 00:04 EST 26/02/2025
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💥 85-88
LeBron into the lane and he lobs it up for Hayes for the jam.
Posted at: 00:04 EST 26/02/2025
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🎯 85-86
Thompson with a pump fake, and three ball for his second in a row!
Posted at: 00:03 EST 26/02/2025
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🏀 82-86
LeBron with the leaner off the glass from outside the lane.
Posted at: 00:03 EST 26/02/2025
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🔥 82-84
Thompson answers back with a three ball to quiet the crowd down.
Posted at: 00:02 EST 26/02/2025
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🎯 79-84
Reaves with another lob and he finds LeBron for the layup on the 3/4 court pass.
Posted at: 00:02 EST 26/02/2025
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💥 79-82
Reaves finds Hayes with the alley oop jam!
Posted at: 00:01 EST 26/02/2025
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💥 79-80
Thompson on the drive and he banks it in from underneath.
Posted at: 23:59 EST 25/02/2025
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🏀 77-80
LeBron with the fader on the baseline to open up the quarter.
Posted at: 23:57 EST 25/02/2025
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⏱️ 77-78
WE ARE AT THE END OF THE THIRD QUARTER!!!
It’s a one-point game heading into the final 12 minutes.
Posted at: 23:53 EST 25/02/2025
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⚠️ 77-78
Exum got a LeBron elbow to the mouth on James’ way up to the bucket and he came up bloodied and maybe missing a few teeth, but nothing more than a turnover was called.
Posted at: 23:51 EST 25/02/2025
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🔄 77-78
Exum with a spot-up in the lane and he gets the roll.
Posted at: 23:48 EST 25/02/2025
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🎯 75-78
Mavs ball after the replay and Exum drills a three ball in the corner to cut it back to a three-point game.
Posted at: 23:47 EST 25/02/2025
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🔄 72-78
The Lakers are going to challenge an out-of-bounds call that went to DAL under the Mavs basket.
Posted at: 23:43 EST 25/02/2025
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💥 72-78
Luka kicks it out and finds Vanderbilt for the three ball in the corner!!!
Posted at: 23:42 EST 25/02/2025
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🏃♂️ 72-75
Marshall dumps it off to Irving who lays it up in transition.
Posted at: 23:41 EST 25/02/2025
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🎯 70-75
Doncic to the line after the foul on Prosper and he hits one of two FTs.
Posted at: 23:39 EST 25/02/2025
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🏀 70-74
Dinwiddie with a fader from the mid-range and he gets the foul! FT is good after the foul on Vincent.
Posted at: 23:39 EST 25/02/2025
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💪 67-74
Reaves drives down the lane and lays it up and in.
Posted at: 23:38 EST 25/02/2025
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🎯 67-72
Reaves to the line after the foul on Edwards and he hits both FTs.
Posted at: 23:37 EST 25/02/2025
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🔥 67-70
Dinwiddie pulls up from the perimeter and drills the three ball! It’s a three-point game and the Lakers need a timeout with 6:02 to go in the 3rd.
Posted at: 23:34 EST 25/02/2025
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