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Luka Doncic Had Something to Say Ahead of Lakers-Mavs Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Oct 15, 2025 8:05 AM ET

Luka Doncic made preseason debut for the Los Angeles Lakers with 25 points but lost to Suns, 113-104
Doncic was traded from Mavericks to Lakers in a blockbuster three-team deal last year
Doncic made an honest confession ahead of Wednesday's game against Mavs

Luka Doncic made a splash in his preseason debut for the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night. The five-time All-Star went off for 25 points on 7-of-15 shooting, seven rebounds, four assists, four triples and, as always, a handful of dazzling moments that produced oohs and aahs from the home crowd at Crypto.com Arena.

Despite Doncic’s strong effort, however, the Lakers still suffered defeat at the hands of the Phoenix Suns, 113-104, as L.A. fell to 1-3 on the preseason. Doncic and Co. will be back in action on Wednesday night, this time facing off against the five-time All-NBA guard’s former team, the Dallas Mavericks.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) warms up ahead of a game. © Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

In a shocking move that caught the entire basketball world off guard, the Mavs traded Doncic to the Lakers in February last year. This marked the end of an era for Dallas, as general manager Nico Harrison officially ushered in the next generation for the storied franchise.

Doncic headed to Hollywood along with Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris. In exchange, the Lakers sent Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a future first-round pick to the Mavs. The Utah Jazz were also involved in the three-team trade deal that shook the NBA landscape to its core.

Wednesday’s Lakers-Mavs matchup will not be the first time Doncic will get to face the team that he got traded to as soon as he was drafted third-overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks back in 2018; thus he started his NBA career with the Mavs. However, the 26-year-old admitted that there will still be some emotions when he takes the court to battle his former squad.

“It’s obviously going to be something,” Doncic told reporters following Tuesday’s loss to the Suns. “Obviously, I’m going to feel something every game I play against them. I am kind of starting a new chapter here. … But again, it’s always going to be something. I don’t know how it will go.”

Luka Doncic on seeing Dallas on the Lakers’ preseason schedule tomorrow: “I mean, it’s obviously going to be something. Obviously I’m going to feel something every game I play against them. I am kind of starting a new chapter here … but … it’s always going to be something” pic.twitter.com/FGioUQZ8XU
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 15, 2025

As Doncic stated, he is doing his best to turn a page and put his past behind him, especially now that the Mavs are one of his Western Conference rivals. However, this does not mean that he will be able to set all his emotions aside, considering how much his six and a half years in Dallas mean to him on both a professional and personal level.

The Lakers host the Mavs in Wednesday’s preseason contest. Tipoff from Crypto.com Arena is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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