The Luka Dončić trade was surprising for a variety of reasons. The unexpected nature, the lack of rumors, and with no teams seemingly being fielded for offers, Dončić being shipped left everyone’s mouths agape. Now, the news has settled in and the Slovenian is starting to dominate as a Los Angeles Laker.
For his next tussle, he faces a familiar opponent as the Dallas Mavericks clash with Los Angeles for the first time since the historic, league-altering trade. But, before the two teams lock horns, we take a stroll down memory lane for six other revenge games for NBA superstars.
The NBA’s Revenge Games
Wilt Chamberlain | Philadelphia 76ers vs San Francisco Warriors, Jan. 21, 1965
It is often said that the NBA’s record books are the biography of Wilt Chamberlain. His dominance of the league at a statistical level is still unparalleled, to this day. But, after six years with the Warriors, he was traded to their previous city, the Philadelphia 76ers.
Wilt Chamberlain: On Jan. 21, 1965, in Philadelphia, Chamberlain faced the Warriors for the first time since they traded him to the 76ers six days earlier on Jan. 15, 1965, during the same season. In his first game after the trade, Chamberlain recorded 22 points and 29 rebounds…
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) February 25, 2025
In his return match, just six days after the deal was finalized, he dominated his former team to the tune of 22 points and 29 rebounds, notching a comfortable 111-102 win for his new ball club.
Dominique Wilkins | Atlanta Hawks vs Los Angeles Clippers, March 25, 1994
One of the best high flyers of his era and one of the most underrated names in NBA history, Dominique Wilkins was the quintessential highlight reel for much of the 80s and 90s. But, midway through the 1994-95 season, he was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Dominique Wilkins: On March 25, 1994, in Atlanta, Wilkins faced the Hawks for the first time since they traded him to the Clippers one month earlier on Feb. 24, 1994, during the same season. Wilkins posted 36 points and 10 rebounds in LA’s 97-94 victory.
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) February 25, 2025
After spending thirteen years with the Atlanta Hawks, it was a rather shocking move. But just a month later, he was facing off against his old team and delivered a vintage Wilkins performance with 36 points and 10 rebounds, to earn the Clippers a close 97-94 win.
Clyde Drexler | Portland Trail Blazers vs. Houston Rockets, April 7, 1995
If you lived in the 1990s, there wasn’t a man as closely compared to Michael Jordan as Clyde Drexler. The high-flying showman was equally adept at scoring the ball from the midrange and had a class duel against Jordan in the NBA Finals.
But, after all his glory in a 13-year career with the Portland Trailblazers, he made his way to the Houston Rockets to team with Hakeem Olajuwon on the squad. In his first game back in Portland, he had an all-around dominant performance.
Clyde Drexler: On April 7, 1995, in Portland, Drexler faced the Trail Blazers for the first time since they traded him to the Rockets less than two months earlier on Feb. 14, 1995, during the same season. Drexler recorded 24 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in Houston’s…
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) February 25, 2025
With 24 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists to his name, he signaled his arrival in grand fashion, despite the 127-109 loss. The performance was a sign of things to come as Houston would go on to win their second-straight Championship that season.
Allen Iverson | Philadelphia 76ers vs. Denver Nuggets, Jan. 2, 2007
There might not be a player as iconic or as culturally signficant as Allen Iverson was in the NBA. Throughout his 11-year run with the Philadelphia 76ers, Iverson was the most electrifying man in the sport, which made his trade to the Denver Nuggets in 2007 all the more heartbreaking.
Allen Iverson: On Jan. 2, 2007, in Denver, Iverson faced the 76ers for the first time since they traded him to the Nuggets two weeks earlier on Dec. 19, 2006, during the same season. Iverson recorded 30 points, nine assists and five rebounds in Denver’s 108-97 loss.
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) February 25, 2025
When he got his first shot against his former team, less than two weeks after the historic trade, he rattled off 30 points, nine assists, and five rebounds, but couldn’t secure the dub as the Nuggets lost 108-97.
James Harden | Houston Rockets vs. Brooklyn Nets, March 3, 2021
An ugly divorce at the end came to a messy conclusion when James Harden was traded to the Brooklyn Nets from the Houston Rockets. An MVP and multiple deep playoff runs later, Harden was a hated man for the way things ended in Houston and his first match back was a loud affair.
James Harden: On March 3, 2021, in Houston, Harden faced the Rockets for the first time since they traded him to the Nets on Jan. 16, 2021, during the same season. Harden scored 29 points and handed out 14 assists in Brooklyn’s 132-114 victory.
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) February 25, 2025
With less than two months having passed, a rabid fanbase couldn’t derail a classic Harden performance, as the guard tallied 29 points and 14 assists to power the Nets to a comfortable 132-114 victory.
Karl-Anthony Towns | Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New York Knicks, Dec. 19, 2024
As far as shock goes, Karl-Anthony Towns being traded right after a Conference Finals appearance alongside Anthony Edwards was a strange move by the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, in his new home, Towns quickly grew comfortable.
Karl-Anthony Towns: On Dec. 19, 2024, in Minnesota, Towns faced the Timberwolves for the first time since they traded him to the Knicks on Oct. 2, 2024, as NBA training camps opened for the 2024-25 season. Towns finished with 32 points, 20 rebounds and six assists in New York’s…
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) February 25, 2025
Almost two months after the season got underway, the 7-footer got his first chance to square off against the team that discarded him and he didn’t disappoint. In a vengeful performance, Towns had 32 points, 20 rebounds, and even dished out six assists as the Knicks annihilated the Wolves 133-107.
Luka Dončić | Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers, Feb. 25, 2025
A week before the 2025 trade deadline, the NBA world received one of the most shocking trade updates the league has ever seen. Without any speculation or preamble, the Mavericks on their own behest, were trading Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The 25-year-old was coming off a Finals appearance and leading the league in scoring. With five All-Star and All-NBA first-team selections to his name the decision seemed as bizarre as things could get. Since then, the situation has only gotten uglier with the Mavs front office not being fully transparent in one of the more surprising moves in NBA history.
It has led to a gap between management and the fanbase as well, who wholeheartedly did not want to part ways with their Slovenian superstar. On the other hand, Dončić is starting to find his footing in LA.
After a slow start as he recovered from a calf injury that kept him out of action for over a month, he exploded, helping the Lakers defeat their kryptonite, the Denver Nuggets, by dropping 32-10-8-4 in a 123-100 rout.
Now, he gets his first chance at revenge as Dallas enters Crypto.com Arena to take on Los Angeles on February 25th, 10:00 PM ET.
