💔 Luka Returns to Dallas: Love, Pain, and One Last Goodbye
DALLAS — Luka Dončić returned to American Airlines Center for the first time since his blockbuster February trade to the Los Angeles Lakers — and the result was one of the most emotionally charged nights in modern NBA history.
From Slovenian tribute shirts to protest trucks circling the arena, fans came to say goodbye — and to demand accountability. In the end, Dončić dropped 45 points in a 112–97 Lakers win, but the final score barely scratched the surface of what this night truly meant.
🥹 Tribute Turns to Tears: “Hvala za vse”
Dončić was welcomed with:
- A two-and-a-half-minute tribute video
- A standing ovation from fans in both Mavs and Lakers gear
- T-shirts on every seat reading “Hvala za vse” — Thank you for everything in Slovenian
Dončić cried. The city cried with him.
“Even if I didn’t see Luka get emotional, I would have gotten emotional,” said longtime fan Henry Neely.
🧨 “Fire Nico!” Protests Erupt as GM Faces Fan Fury
Despite the love for Luka, the anger toward GM Nico Harrison was impossible to ignore:
- Protest signs and chants rang out all night
- A truck circled the arena with “FIRE NICO SELL THE TEAM”
- Viral protestor Jake Reedy’s clown-nose T-shirts resurfaced in force
“Jerry Jones never hurt me the way Nico did. And that’s saying a lot,” said Mavs fan Rizzy N’Kele.
❤️ Luka Gives Love Back: “Letting Him Feel It”
In the final moments, Dončić acknowledged N’Kele’s “Thanks For The Memories” poster before leaving the court to a standing ovation with 1:37 remaining.
“Letting him know the town didn’t betray him — the front office did,” said fan Luis Ellis.
📈 Beyond the Stats: 45 Points, 1 Unforgettable Farewell
- 45 points
- 8 rebounds
- 6 assists
- One silent message: Luka Dončić may be a Laker now, but his heart is still somewhere on Dirk Nowitzki Way.
Asked postgame if this night brought closure:
“That’s a hard question,” Dončić replied, quietly.
