Luka Doncic’s emotional Dallas return left teammates in awe

When Luka Doncic made his emotional return to American Airlines Center on April 9, the reaction from fans was expectedly overwhelming.

But it wasn’t just the crowd that felt the weight of the moment – so did his former teammates, including Naji Marshall.

“First game home … Luka wanted to be in Dallas. He probably never thought he was gonna leave,” Marshall said during a podcast appearance.

“To see him cry before the game – like, I don’t know what he was feeling, but I could just imagine what that moment felt like for him.”

Doncic, visibly moved by a pre-game tribute video, proceeded to dominate the court with a signature performance: 45 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and four steals, leading the Lakers to a 112-97 win.

Marshall, who led the Mavericks in that game with 23 points and eight assists, wasn’t bitter – he was in awe.

“It was beautiful,” he said simply. “That’s Luka, man.”

Even in a new uniform, Doncic’s impact in Dallas was undeniable.

The tribute, the tears, and the performance combined into a moment that reminded everyone, especially his former teammates, why he was the face of the franchise.