Doncic's Mave reunion was 'so weird'

Although Luka Doncic speaks four languages, he struggled for the words to express just how strange it was to play against the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night.

Just 23 days after his world was upended by Dallas' shock decision to trade him, Doncic was on the Los Angeles Lakers' home court to face those same Mavs. His feelings of betrayal and uncertainty are still fresh, and they affected a performance that was inconsistent, occasionally brilliant and altogether fraught with anxiety.

"It was just a lot of emotions I was feeling," Doncic said. "I can't even explain. It was a different game. Sometimes, I didn't know what I was doing. I'm just glad it's over, honestly."

Doncic's game was all over the place — just like his head.

He posted his triple-double in a Lakers uniform, but he also missed 11 of his 17 shots and was wild from 3-point range. He made a dozen sublime passes and at least that many big defensive plays, yet he could only score two points in the fourth quarter of a tight game.

"It was so weird," Doncic said. "There were moments I felt like I don't know what I'm doing. I'm glad we got a win."

Fortunately for Doncic, he now has LeBron James for a teammate — and the top scorer in NBA history simply wouldn't let Luka lose.

In that fourth quarter, the Lakers' eager fans saw another glimpse of what Doncic and James can become. James took over the game, scoring 16 of his 27 points in the final period — including three key buckets on passes from Doncic to cap his superb playmaking performance.

Doncic finished with 19 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists in the 81st triple-double of his career.

His teammates would have known it was an important night even if they hadn't seen Doncic take a few meaningful looks at the Mavs' bench, and they helped to sand off the rough edges on Doncic's cathartic evening.

"We understood as his teammates that we wanted to try to get this win for him," James said. "Obviously, we know what transpired not too long ago. As his teammates, we wanted just to back him in any way, shape or form. Happy that I was — along with my teammates — able to make a couple of plays down the stretch to get him this win. I know he probably won't say it, but I think it means something to him for sure."