Luka Dončić’s return to Dallas: a feel-good moment, a homecoming if you will. Or was it?
It was a gut-punch of nostalgia, heartbreak, and raw emotion, two months after being traded by the Dallas Mavericks. An organization he poured his heart into. The Slovenian superstar stepped onto the court at American Airlines Center in a Los Angeles Lakers jersey. What happened next had fans everywhere wiping tears.
Tribute Video Hits Luka Dončić Hard as Fans Fire Back
Before the Lakers-Mavericks game tipped off, the jumbotron rolled a 2-minute tribute honoring Dončić’s legendary seven-year run with Dallas. Every seat in the arena had a “Hvala za vse” shirt (“Thank you for everything” in Slovenian), but it was what happened during the video that set social media ablaze.
While the rest of the Lakers’ starters were introduced, Dončić stayed alone on the bench, watching highlight after highlight of his time in Dallas. From his Rookie of the Year campaign to those deep playoff runs, it was all there. And it broke him. Dončić dropped his head and wiped away tears, unable to finish watching.
And the Fans? Well, they lost it.
“Dallas did this man so dirty,” one fan wrote on X. Hinting at the trade and the tribute video at the same time.
Another chimed in, “Not only did dallas do him dirty but how you trade a player that loved being there this much… franchise player at that.”
not only did dallas do him dirty but how you trade a player that loved being there this much… franchise player at that.
— Abelito (@imchasingdreamz) April 10, 2025
The “Fire Nico” chants aimed at Mavericks GM Nico Harrison only amplified the frustration. And when they erupted during the first quarter, while Dončić was casually torching Dallas for 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting, you knew the city was still heartbroken over the move.
Dončić Delivers A Message of His Own
By the time the final buzzer sounded, Dončić had dropped a game-high 45 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, and dished out 6 assists in a 112-97 win. And yes, the cheers came pouring in when he was subbed off with 1:34 left in the 4th.
But the story wasn’t about the numbers. It was about the emotion. The reaction. The betrayal.
Dončić was the face of the Mavericks. A generational talent. The guy who turned a mid-market franchise into a must-watch team every single night. And yet, with two years still on his contract, he was dealt for an injury-prone Anthony Davis. A move that’s already showing signs of regret.
To no surprise, fans aren’t letting this one go. “Touching video for a team who traded away a generation talent for an injured prone center…,” one user posted.
Another summed it up: “Mavs worst trade ever.”
Mavs worst trade ever.
— Ryan Byrd (@byrdman220) April 10, 2025
Wednesday night wasn’t just a return. It was closure. It was Dončić letting Dallas know, he never wanted to leave. The tears proved it. And so did the 45-piece on the scoreboard.