Luka Dončić, Mavericks Could Meet in Preseason Clash in Las Vegas

The next highly anticipated matchup between Luka Dončić, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Dallas Mavericks could come sooner than expected—and on one of the NBA’s biggest offseason stages.

According to Marc Stein, the Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers are in discussions to play a preseason game this October in Las Vegas. DallasHoopsJournal.com sources have indicated that T-Mobile Arena would be a logical venue if this occurs.

While the potential exhibition would draw national attention, it would also mark the Mavericks’ return to Las Vegas, where they held training camp at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) before the 2024–25 season. Dallas did not play a preseason game in the city last year; instead, they hosted three of their four matchups at American Airlines Center and played their lone road exhibition in the first-ever NBA game at Intuit Dome against the LA Clippers.

The Lakers, by contrast, have made annual preseason visits to Las Vegas dating back to 1988. T-Mobile Arena has hosted multiple high-profile preseason contests, including a preseason game between the Lakers and Golden State Warriors. The 18,000-seat venue also serves as the home for the NBA Cup’s knockout rounds, including the semifinals and the championship.

A neutral-site preseason showdown between Dallas and Los Angeles would carry heightened significance. Both teams enter their first full season following a midseason deal that sent shockwaves through the league. The Mavericks missed the playoffs after losing against the Memphis Grizzlies in the play-in tournament, while the Lakers were eliminated in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Dončić last faced his former team on April 9 in Dallas, erupting for 45 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and four steals in a Lakers win. His performance capped a pair of regular-season victories over the Mavericks since the trade, highlighting the emotional and competitive weight of the matchup.

Based on the typical return timetable for an ACL tear, Kyrie Irving would certainly be unlikely to play in the preseason, which diminishes some of the electricity in a matchup involving the Mavericks and Lakers. However, it would be a chance for Dallas to see Anthony Davis and its frontcourt build continuity after getting valuable practice reps in training camp.