Some Dallas Mavericks fans may have hoped for a better showing when Luka Doncic played his first game back at the American Airlines Center. However, fans who showed up to Luka’s first game back were treated to an epic spectacle.
Not only did their former star shine in the Purple and Gold’s 112-97 takedown of the home team with a season-high 45 points, but he made it clear after the game that the game served as a release for him. It was a painful but necessary closure that will allow fans to feel the finality of the trade that rocked the NBA two months ago.
While the fans are coming to terms with the finality of the trade, Jason Kidd couldn’t help but sing his former superstar his praises after an impressive showing against them.
Jason Kidd talks about Luka Doncic’s dominant performance against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center
Jason Kidd would have been forgiven to soak in the energy surrounding the Don’s AAC return. While it’s not the first time a player has done well against his former team, the entire media frenzy surrounding Luka’s return to Dallas fascinated him.
He talked about the experience of coaching in such an energetic environment, as reported by Basketnews.com:
“It was incredible,” Kidd said. “The fans were great, the tribute was great, and Luka’s performance was great. That’s who Luka is. I’ve said this when he was with the Mavs—he’s one of the best players in the world. He showed that again tonight.”
He also gave the Slovenian his roses, saying that he blasted through the Mavericks roster on both ends of the floor:
“It’s very difficult. He got it going tonight—he made the layups, he made the threes. When he’s on like that, it’s tough to try to take everything away from him. He was really good tonight,” Kidd praised Doncic.
Doncic finished the game with an incredible stat line of 45 points, eight rebounds, six assists, seven three-point shots made, and four steals in an attempt to stick the point to Nico Harrison.
Kidd tried to mitigate the damage with his squad, but the team felt different without Kyrie Irving. Naji Marshall was the most efficient player on the Mavs with his 25 points. Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson were contained by a pesky Lakers defense, combining for only 19 points.
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