Those who braved the icy roads and freezing temperatures in North Texas were treated to an electric ending at American Airlines Center, but it wasn’t the finish Mavericks fans hoped for.
It appeared as if the Mavericks would reward those fans who traveled through the wintry weather with a fifth consecutive victory, but they went cold in the fourth quarter and suffered a 116-110 loss to Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd signaled for a timeout with 1 minute and 40 seconds left in the game after Marcus Smart caught an offensive rebound with little resistance, leading to a putback layup and a three-point lead for the Lakers, who once trailed by as many as 15 points.
Coming out of the quick break, Brandon Williams missed a layup through contact and LeBron James finished a Lakers transition opportunity with another tip-in, cementing what became one of the biggest meltdowns of the season for the Mavericks.
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Three Dallas players scored at least 20 points, but Doncic dazzled and flirted with a near triple-double, improving to 4-0 against his old team.
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“I thought the group did a great job,” Kidd said. “Luka is one of the best players in the world. He played here. Understanding the situation. I thought the group did a great job competing. We put ourselves in a great position to win a close game.”
Dallas blew a 15-point lead, its largest of the season, at the most inopportune time. The Lakers closed the game on a 27-8 run in the final six minutes of the game, which Kidd credited to several defensive lapses.
“I think defensively, we couldn’t get stops,” Kidd said after the game. “Had some good looks and also had some turnovers that led to them being able to capitalize.”
The Mavericks led by two when a pivotal string of sequences doomed them during the final three minutes. Rui Hachimura drained back-to-back 3-pointers, including one as he was fouled by P.J. Washington, to give the Lakers their first lead of the fourth quarter. He tried for a third and missed, but Smart was there for cleanup duty with his timely putback layup.
Heads dropped and morale plummeted, leaving the Mavericks demoralized in a game that meant more given the circumstances. Kidd said he thought his team did a great job handling the heightened emotions that comes with Doncic’s return.
“Luka is one of the best players in the world,” Kidd said. “He played here. Understanding the situation. I thought the group did a great job competing. We put ourselves in a great position to win a close game.”
Doncic and Anthony Davis are the headliners of the five-player trade that sent shockwaves around the NBA nearly a year ago, but Max Christie has proved himself to be a steal for the Mavericks. He led the Mavericks with 24 points and knocked down four 3-pointers.
“Very emotional,” Christie said. “Just because of the circumstances of the game and who we’re playing obviously. It was fun. Obviously, it wasn’t good to get the loss, but we played hard. We battled.”
Before the game, Christie was praised for his improved play by his former coach JJ Redick.
“Very clear for me from day one with him that he’s someone who has a real desire to come to work every day and try to get better,” Redick said. “And as a coach that’s that’s the ultimate is to work with guys like that. And he just continues to get better. He continues to grow in his confidence.
Naji Marshall, who celebrated his 28th birthday on Saturday, had a double-double of 21 points and 11 rebounds. He swapped jerseys with Doncic following the game.
Cooper Flagg had his best passing game of the season the last time he matched up against Doncic and the Lakers with a career-high 11 assists. On Saturday, he had 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
Williams was the lone bright spot of the bench with 20 points and four assists. Washington, Daniel Gafford and Ryan Nembhard only scored two points each, while Klay Thompson had six.
Gafford made a return from a four-game absence because of a right ankle sprain and he admitted to fatigue, but he was critical of his performance in the first quarter, calling it a “snooze-fest.“
“It’s Luka,” Gafford said. “He was one fo the guys that was here that was a fan favorite. It’s tough…We gotta prepare for it on both sides. That’s our guy but on the same time he’s on the opposing team, too.”
Doncic returned to American Airlines Center for the second time since he was dealt and while it wasn’t nearly as emotional as his debut as an opponent last April. The newest franchise face of the Lakers was showered with love by his former fanbase with rousing ovations as he was introduced in the starting lineups and throughout the game. He even received MVP chants during several of his 15 trips to the free throw line.
Doncic finished with 33 points, eight rebounds and 11 assists to lead the Lakers. Smart and LeBron James added 17 points each.
But as much as Mavericks fans cheered for their former superstar, they celebrated even louder for their own team with the franchise’s throwback green uniforms.
Kidd said during his pregame news conference that both parties have moved on from the trade that sent shockwaves throughout the NBA.
Saturday’s finish proved that Doncic still reigns over his former team, for now. The Mavericks will have another opportunity to capture that elusive win over him on Feb. 12 in Los Angeles and if doesn’t happen then, they’ll have the season finale back at American Airlines Center on April 5.
It should be much warmer in Dallas by then, but the Mavericks will have a quick turnaround to brave the intense weather themselves for a late flight to Milwaukee, where they’re expected to face the Bucks on Sunday night.
Welcome back, Luka: See photos from Doncic’s latest return to Dallas for Mavericks-Lakers showdown
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