Laker Luka Is Next Level
Thank you, Nico! – Lakers Fans
“I’m just glad it’s over, honestly.” That was one of Luka Doncic’s first thoughts after a surreal night in Los Angeles where he faced his former team, the Dallas Mavericks, for the first time just weeks after the NBA’s most shocking in-season trade.
Luka Doncic reacts to playing the Mavs for the 1st time since they traded him to the Lakers:
“I’m just glad it’s over, honestly.”#MFFL #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/u9ugz92EId
— Jonah Javad (@JonahJavad) February 26, 2025
Doncic admitted he had a lack of sleep and didn’t even know what he was doing at times in this game. But he and the Lakers still prevailed, 107-99, in a game that had a playoff atmosphere to it with the Lakers needing a fourth-quarter comeback to win it.
Not Your Normal Night
It’s usually hard to build hype for NBA games in February, but this one came with ease as it was apparent early in the day this wasn’t your normal Tuesday night in the NBA.
The Jordan Brand dropped a wild ad before the game that showed a Luka Doncic stand-in changing the license plate from Texas to California on the back of his custom vehicle while the lyrics “All my exes live in Texas” played before the message “FULL TANK. NO MERCY.” was displayed.
Jordan Brand’s new Luka Doncic ad is SAVAGEEE 😭🔥 pic.twitter.com/GSZF22fbpw
— Nice Kicks (@nicekicks) February 25, 2025
The vehicle, a Lakers-inspired Koenigsegg Regera supercar, made it to the arena where fans could pose for pictures and receive free parking for the game.
The Lakers inspired Koenigsegg Regera, the car featured in the latest Luka Dončić Jordan Brand ad, was parked in L.A. Live Plaza prior to tonight’s game.
Fans had the opportunity to take pictures with the car, which features the Jumpman logo and “77” in Lakers gold.
Limited… pic.twitter.com/ryBmZ1U9lw
— Luka Donkicks (@LukaDonkicks) February 26, 2025
That’s pretty sweet. Jordan Brand also had Luka wearing his new signature shoe, the Jordan Luka 4. They’re not that great, but it is cool that he included a heart for his daughter.
Luka with his new Jordan Luka 4 🔥
Says his favorite part is the heart for his daughter Gabriela ♥️ pic.twitter.com/XQqXrcwpwR
— Luka Updates (@LukaUpdates) February 26, 2025
Before the night ended, Lakers fans broke out a “Thank you, Nico!” chant while the Lakers took control of the game in the fourth quarter.
“Thank you, Nico” chants break out at @cryptocomarena 😅#LakeShow pic.twitter.com/a9rZZWBFAv
— ESPN Los Angeles (@ESPNLosAngeles) February 26, 2025
That’s a reference to Nico Harrison, the Mavericks executive behind the shocking trade earlier this month. In fact, the only thing that would have made the night wilder was if Anthony Davis was playing for Dallas against the Lakers in LA. But he’s been out injured since making his Mavericks debut.
However, during a competitive first-quarter break, the Lakers played a video tribute to Davis, who took in the nice ovation from the crowd. LeBron James was also seen clapping for his former teammate, but he’s probably satisfied with the replacement in Doncic.
Tribute in Los Angeles for Anthony Davis 🙏
LeBron clapping it up for his guy 👏 pic.twitter.com/PzFVQhrwkW
— NBA (@NBA) February 26, 2025
Are the Lakers a Legit Contender Now?
If Luka really didn’t know what he was doing during Tuesday night’s game, that could be scary NBA news for the rest of the league. Doncic did not shoot efficiently but he still had a triple-double while filling up the stat sheet early in historic fashion:
Luka Doncic has 12 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 blocked shots and 2 steals in 1st half. No other player in play by play era (since 1996-97) hit all those marks in 1st half of any game
— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) February 26, 2025
The NBA betting odds for the championship will only get better for the Lakers if Doncic continues to shine alongside LeBron James, who finished strong in the fourth quarter. This impressive win follows a big win over the weekend against Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets, who have been a major thorn in LA’s side in recent years.
We know Luka Doncic’s stats as a scorer will inevitably get better with the Lakers. When you combine that with what James can still do at 40 and the evolution of Austin Reaves, this team is a legitimate threat to the Thunder and Nuggets in the Western Conference.
Two superstars can beat one, after all, and the Lakers definitely have two of those players now.
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