Luka Dončić had a career-defining moment on Tuesday, Feb. 25, as he faced his former team, the Dallas Mavericks, for the first time since his shocking trade to the Los Angeles Lakers. He filled the stat sheet, recording 19 points, 15 rebounds, 12 assists, three steals, and two blocks, and led the Lakers to a 107-99 win that had to feel good.
The matchup was one of the most anticipated games of the season, with fans eager to see how the Slovenian superstar performed against the franchise that shaped his rise in the NBA. Prior to tip-off, Jordan Brand jumped into the fray, hyping things up with a new ad.
Jordan Brand Releases Ad Showing Luka’s Transition From Mavs to Lakers
Jordan Brand released a special ad to mark Dončić’s transition from Dallas to Los Angeles. The ad features a purple and gold sports car, with the superstar changing his Texas license plate to a California one.
The license plate displays Dončić’s iconic No. 77, depicting his fresh start with the Lakers. Further adding to the already intense emotions ahead of the game, the ad ends with a bold message: “Full tank. No mercy.”
Luka Doncic changes plates on his prized Regara in a new joint from Jordan Brand ahead of tonight’s Mavs-Lakers game pic.twitter.com/lI8AAttziJ
— Cameron Tabatabaie (@CTabatabaie) February 25, 2025
If the hype wasn’t enough, that very car appeared outside the Crypto.com arena right before tipoff. ESPN’s Tim MacMahon posted the video on X.
It adds further intrigue to the game while sending a clear message that the five-time NBA All-Star has settled well with the Lakers.
California cool … pic.twitter.com/tciosSQZg5
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) February 26, 2025
Dončić led the Mavericks to the 2024 NBA Finals only to be traded to the Lakers in a blockbuster deal that caught many by surprise. It took some time for the rising NBA star to get his momentum going with his new team.
His initial games with Los Angeles have been a mixed bag, with the team going 2-2 and Dončić averaging 19.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game prior to his revenge game against Dallas. However, his recent jaw-dropping performance against the Denver Nuggets — where he posted 32 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and four steals — coupled with his strong outing against Dallas proves that he’s finding his rhythm.
Lakers head coach J.J. Redick acknowledged the emotional weight of the matchup but expressed confidence in Dončić’s ability to handle it.
“Every day that he’s been with us, it’s becoming a little more normal,” Redick said. “I’ve been there. The first time you play your old team, especially this soon after a trade, it’s going to feel weird. But he’ll be fine.”
