Dallas Mavericks face Luka Doncic for first time since trading star to LA Lakers

LOS ANGELES – After their front offices put on a show at the National Basketball Association (NBA) trade deadline, the visiting Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers will try to rise to the occasion on the court on Feb 25 (Feb 26, Singapore time) and settle their differences.

Their league-shaking trade that leaked late on Feb 1 made Luka Doncic the Lakers’ star of the future, while Anthony Davis went the other way to help with the Mavericks’ immediate play-off goals.

Yet only half of the trade’s major components will be on the court.

As Doncic continues to improve his form with the Lakers following a calf injury, Davis is out for the time being with a left adductor strain.

Continuing to put his calf strain in the past, Doncic had his best game as a Laker in a convincing 123-100 road victory against the Denver Nuggets on Feb 22. The 25-year-old had a team-high 32 points and added 10 rebounds.

“You can see it, me smiling on the court, having fun,” the Slovenian told reporters after the win over the Nuggets, while admitting there has been an obvious adjustment period.

LeBron James was impressed with Doncic’s improved play.

“He was very locked in on what he wanted to do out (there),” the Lakers star said.

“He was just dialled in on what he wanted to do and how he wanted to execute his game plan individually.”

While Doncic has averaged 19 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists in a Lakers uniform, James has averaged 28.7 points with 8.9 rebounds and 7.4 assists in seven games since the deal was announced.

Los Angeles guard Austin Reaves, meanwhile, continues to flourish with 23.9 points, 6.3 assists and 4.7 rebounds in nine games in February.

Davis made Mavericks fans feel somewhat more