As expected, former Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic got a hero's welcome in his return to Dallas after the league-altering deadline deal which sent him to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers-Mavs matchup at American Airlines Center was bound to put fans, former teammates and Doncic himself through an emotional rollercoaster. Doncic felt it pregame as he watched the tribute video the Mavs prepared.
Mavs general manager Nico Harrison executed the trade that sent Doncic to L.A., and Dallas fans have continued to let Harrison have it. On Wednesday, thousands of fans chanted to fire Harrison as Doncic's new costar, LeBron James, stood at the free-throw line in the first quarter.
Doncic's stardom is the type that transcends franchises, with many Mavs fans choosing to disregard their team out of disgust and follow him to his new home. In Mavs' fans first time seeing Doncic in purple and gold at his former home, they showed where their loyalty stood.
After each shot Doncic made to start the game, the crowd erupted, including from many of those who donned Mavs gear.
Mavs fans are cheering on every shot Luka makes.
— MFFL NATION (@NationMffl) April 9, 2025
This is what real loyalty looks like. pic.twitter.com/F5ySFWK3Xx
Dallas fans gave Doncic a standing ovation when as he went back to the bench for the first time, too:
Luka Dončić receives an ovation after heading to the bench for the first time. He finished with 14 points in the first quarter. pic.twitter.com/dH0ox3gAQA
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) April 10, 2025
James receives plenty of cheers at away arenas, but the support that remains for Doncic in Dallas is on another level.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Mavs Fans Were More Interested in Cheering for Luka Doncic Than Dallas in Return Game.
