DALLAS — Luka Doncic always knew it was going to be an emotional return when wearing his No. 77 Los Angeles Lakers jersey in the place he called home the first 5 1/2 seasons of his NBA career.
Then the Dallas Mavericks showed a video tribute before he had even been introduced for his first game back Wednesday night, two months after being traded.
Doncic watched the screen while sitting on the bench alone, with tears in his eyes and wondering if he would even be able to get through the game.
“After that video, I was like, there’s no way I’m playing this game,” Doncic said of the tribute, which lasted more than two minutes. “So many moments, and I just went out there and just played basketball.”
More than play, he had another standout performance like so many other in his already accomplished career.