There was a time when American Airlines Center was Luka’s house. On April 9, 2025, it still kinda felt like it—for a few emotional hours. But this time, he came back in purple and gold, and with 45 points, eight rebounds, and six assists under his belt, Luka Doncic officially closed the book on his Dallas chapter.
“I love these fans, I love this city,” he said after the game. “But it’s time to move on.” When Luka stepped back onto the Dallas hardwood, it wasn’t just another game on the schedule. It was the first time since the February trade that brought him to the Lakers, and emotions? Oh, they were high.
There was a video tribute. There were “Gracias por todo” signs. There was Dirk in the building. Luka? He damn near lost it. “When I was watching that video, I was like, ‘There’s no way I’m playing this game,’” he confessed. “But my teammates had my back. I really appreciate that.”
And in peak Luka fashion, he didn’t just play—he dropped 45 points. The Mavericks crowd gave him the love, but on the scoreboard, it was business. The Lakers closed the game on a 25-10 run, securing a 112-97 win and locking up a top-six playoff spot in the West.
The wildest part? Luka said his favorite thing about being back in Dallas wasn’t the win, wasn’t the tribute, and wasn’t even the 45 points.
“First of all, I could sleep in my bed,” he laughed. “But then just to be back with the fans that I spent six and a half years with… supporting me like that was just unbelievable.”
You know it’s real when your hometown bed gets a shoutout before the stat line.
Closure Isn’t Just a Buzzword—Luka Meant It
When asked about closure, Luka didn’t sugarcoat it. “It’s a hard question,” he admitted. “Talking about closure is hard because, like I said, I spent a lot of time here, great moments. But it’s getting more and more. I got to focus on different things now.” He’s clearly still processing it all, but there was peace in his voice. That mix of nostalgia and release? That’s growth.
Luka’s emotional night had one hilarious detour—JJ Redick. “I thought he was gonna drop 50. I’m disappointed,” Redick joked on-air after Luka “only” scored 45. Classic JJ. And honestly, after watching Luka torch his old team in full villain mode, he wasn’t alone in thinking 50 was in reach.
Luka’s story is almost mythical at this point. From dazzling at Real Madrid at age 16, to EuroLeague MVP by 19, to being traded on draft night and turning the Mavericks into contenders. He became Rookie of the Year in 2019, recorded 46 triple-doubles by his third season, and casually dropped 73 in a game against the Hawks in 2024. Oh, and he led the league in scoring last season while taking Dallas to the Finals.
But then came the Lakers trade—a twist no one saw coming. And now, here we are. Back in Dallas. Same arena. Different jersey. Same Luka. Different chapter.
This game wasn’t just about points or standings. It was about closure. For Luka. For the fans. For Dallas. And while the bed comment might go down as the funniest quote of the night, the truth is: Luka Doncic has moved on.
And somehow, so have we.
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