It wasn’t just Dallas that felt the weight of Luka Dončić’s emotional return on April 9. The entire NBA world paused on Wednesday night as the former Dallas Mavericks star stepped back onto the court at American Airlines Center for the first time since the stunning trade that sent him to the Lakers.
And watching from afar, Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young shared a heartfelt message as he couldn’t hold back his reaction to what unfolded before tip-off.
Young Reacts as Luka Dončić Tears Up Before Tip-Off
Before the game began, the Mavericks honored their former star with a nearly three-minute tribute video. As highlights rolled and the crowd stood in applause, Dončić could be seen wiping tears, overcome with emotion.
The fans, many still stunned by the February blockbuster trade, gave their former star a standing ovation. Young, watching it all unfold, posted a five-word reaction on X, capturing the sentiment that Dončić was meant to be a Maverick for life.
Reacting to ESPN video of emotional Dončić during the tribute video, Young wrote:
“He was never gonna leave.”
He was never gonna leave… https://t.co/NSkva1tGy6
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) April 10, 2025
Dončić spent nearly seven seasons in Dallas, rising from a teen phenom to a five-time All-Star. After leading the team to deep playoff runs, including last year’s Finals appearance, many believed Dončić was destined to be a Maverick for life, especially with a five-year, $345 million supermax extension on the horizon.
But the Mavs shocked the league, trading him to the Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a first-round pick. The deal marked the end of an era and for Dončić, a painful goodbye.
Dončić Lets His Game Talk in Emotional Return
If emotions were high before the game, Dončić took all that fire and turned it into fuel. He lit up his former team with 45 points, shooting 16-of-28 from the field and 7-of-10 from three. He added eight rebounds, six assists, and four steals in the Lakers’ 112–97 win. Thirty-one of those points came in the first half alone, where he looked locked in from the start.
LeBron James also chipped in 27 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter, and passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the second-most games played in NBA history (1,561).
The victory helped the Lakers improve to 49–31 and reclaim the third seed in the West. It also helped wash away the sting of their previous game, a frustrating loss to OKC in which Dončić was ejected late.
But on Wednesday night, with Dallas fans cheering him on even in a Lakers jersey, Dončić looked at peace. He didn’t say much, but as Young’s words hinted, he never wanted to leave and his emotional response said it all.