Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic is set to face his former team, the Dallas Mavericks, for the first time since his blockbuster trade to Los Angeles. As the two teams prepare for their highly anticipated matchup, PJ Washington shared his thoughts on what to expect from Doncic, calling for the superstar to bring his “A” game.
Washington, who has had a close relationship with Doncic, recalled how the Slovenian reached out to him after the birth of his son. He acknowledged Doncic’s competitive spirit, saying, per Christian Clark, “I expect him to bring his ‘A’ game. Knowing just the player he is, the mentality he brings to the game, I know he’s going to be ready as soon as we get out there.”
Despite the expected emotional stakes of the game, Washington is excited about the competition. “We can’t wait to compete against him. We miss him. At the end of the day, he’s our brother,” Washington added, signaling the camaraderie that still exists between Doncic and his former teammates.
Doncic’s trade to the Lakers has already generated significant buzz in the basketball world. The trade saw the Lakers acquire the star point guard, along with Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris, in exchange for Max Christie, Anthony Davis, and a 2029 first-round pick. The Lakers also traded Jalen Hood-Schifino and a 2025 second-round pick to the Utah Jazz, who were involved in the transaction.
Since the trade, Doncic has averaged 19 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists in 27.8 minutes per game, a decrease from his pre-trade numbers with the Mavericks, where he averaged 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.8 assists in 35.7 minutes per game.
Doncic’s time with the Lakers has had its ups and downs. He made his debut on February 10 in a victory against the Utah Jazz, scoring 14 points in 24 minutes. However, his next appearance in a loss to the Jazz was less impactful, with only 16 points in 23 minutes. A calf injury limited him to a restricted role in a loss to Charlotte on February 19, but he bounced back with a stellar 32-point performance in a win against the Denver Nuggets on February 22.
The upcoming game marks the first time Doncic will face off against the team that drafted him, adding extra emotional weight to the matchup. With both teams fighting for playoff positioning, Luka Doncic will be eager to prove himself in front of his former squad.
The Mavericks, currently 8th in the Western Conference with a 31-27 record, will be looking to bounce back after a series of tough losses. The Lakers are sitting at 4th in the West with a 35-22 record.
