Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers will meet the Dallas Mavericks a little more than three weeks after the transaction that shocked the sports world.
The team that abruptly shipped Doncic out of the city where he was selected to five All-NBA teams, where he led the team to the NBA Finals last season after winning the scoring title, and where he had anticipated spending the remainder of his career is the one that his new teammates and coaches think he will be ready and eager for this brief matchup.
“I think he’ll be fine,” Lakers coach Redick said. It’s getting a little bit more normal every day that he’s been here. I’ve been there. The first time you play your previous squad, particularly this close in time duration.”
The speed at which this historic clash entered the Lakers’ calendar is just another obstacle for the Slovenian superstar, who has been dealing with major life events in February. In addition to the chaos of the move, Doncic is still recovering from a strained calf that kept him out of action for six and a half weeks.
After the Lakers’ practice on Monday, which concluded with a half-court basket after a 3-point shooting exercise with his old Dallas colleague Dorian Finney-Smith, Doncic declined to talk to media. In different transactions, both veterans joined the Lakers this season.
“I think he’s going to be excited, but everybody in the locker room is excited,” Finney-Smith stated. We have his back. It’s going to be a hard-fought game. We simply need to match their energy because I know that (Mavs coach Jason) Kidd will have them prepared to compete when they come in.”
Unfortunately, neither of the top players from the blockbuster transaction will be playing in this contest.
Due to a groin injury he got in his first game with the Mavs, Anthony Davis, the big man who led the Lakers to the 2020 championship alongside LeBron James, will be out for at least two more weeks.
Like Doncic in Dallas, Davis is adored in Los Angeles when traveling with his new squad. Both he and Max Christie, the Lakers’ former second-round selection who became a starter this season prior to the trade to the Mavs, are certain to sense the intensity of the sellout crowd.
The Lakers’ visit to Dallas on April 9 at the latest will be the first opportunity for a full on-court reunion.
Since becoming fit enough to play again, Doncic, who turns 26 on Friday, has only appeared in four Lakers games. However, last Saturday night’s outstanding performance at Denver was a significant step toward full strength.
