Luka Doncic scores 33, stays perfect against

DALLAS — Luka Doncic was met with a refrain of cheers when he strolled onto the court at American Airlines Center to do his pregame taking pictures routine.

“We love you Luka,” the followers chanted. “We love you.”

Doncic smiled and waved toward the group. He had spent six-plus seasons taking part in for the Mavericks, a place he thought he would call home for his total profession as the face of the franchise.

But a gorgeous, three-team commerce last yr despatched Doncic to the Lakers.

Doncic returned to Dallas for the second time since the commerce, main the Lakers to a 116-110 comeback win on cold and icy Saturday night time.

Doncic was magnificent with 33 factors, 11 assists and eight rebounds as he improved to 4-0 against his former workforce.

“Obviously, there’s always going to be emotions,” Doncic said. “I was happy to be back here. I went to my house. I saw my cars. But obviously it’s always going to be emotions. I really appreciate how they cheered for me when I was introduced. It’s always going to be a special place for me.”

LeBron James completed with 17 factors, eight rebounds and 5 assists. Rui Hachimura had 17 factors and eight rebounds and Marcus Smart had 13 factors, seven rebounds and three assists.

“I’m always going to want to win, no matter what,” Doncic said. “But obviously this win is a little different.”

The Lakers (27-17) led by 14 factors at one level before going down by 15 in the fourth quarter.

They made a stirring comeback late in the fourth quarter behind Hachimura, who went on a 7-0 run. He made a three-pointer while being fouled and made the following free throw. He then hit another three to put the Lakers forward 108-106, a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

“I think we were sharing the ball today and Luka was getting double-teamed in the last five minutes. So, I think that was a good look for us,” Hachimura said. “We talked about how we had to share the ball and find each other and I ended up shooting the last shot. So, yeah, I think it was good by the whole team.”

Hachimura was six for 13 from the sector and 4 for seven from three-point vary.

Lakers ahead Rui Hachimura celebrates after scoring against the Mavericks in the second quarter Saturday.

(Julio Cortez / Associated Press)

“He took his shots tonight,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “And we’re all very confident in him. He’s a laser. He’s a fantastic shooter. The four-point play followed by the three, that seven-point swing where we’re down five and go up two in the matter of 30 seconds was huge.”

After Cooper Flagg made one of two free throws, Smart grabbed a rebound off a missed Hachimura three-pointer and scored despite dislocating his proper index finger earlier in the quarter.

“I was like, ‘I don’t want to come out of the game, so I’m trying to pop it back in real quick,’” Smart said. “It was able to go back in.”

James adopted Smart’s play with a tip-in. Doncic made two free throws to end off the Mavericks (19-27) after Naji Marshall was called for a charge.

In the first quarter, Doncic shot a three-pointer over Brandon Williams to give him 1,500 profession threes, making him the youngest participant in NBA historical past to accomplish the feat.

“There were still emotions, trust me. But a little bit better, a little bit easier for me,” Doncic said. “How the fans accept me here, it’s unbelievable. I still got a lot of friends here, players, some other people. So I’m happy to be back a little bit.”