Luka Doncic sends a fiery message to the Mavericks’ bench after drilling a deep three-pointer.
Luka Doncic’s first game against the Dallas Mavericks since his shocking trade to the Los Angeles Lakers was bound to be an emotional one. But the intensity went up another notch when leaked audio surfaced, revealing exactly what Doncic said to Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd and the Dallas bench after hitting a deep three-pointer.
The Slovenian superstar, who had been laser-focused on making a statement against his former team, turned toward the Mavericks’ bench and emphatically declared, “That’s what I fu**ing do… yeah!”
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The message was unmistakable—Doncic wanted the people responsible for trading him, including Kidd and general manager Nico Harrison, to know he hadn’t forgotten.
The footage, shared by the social media account LegendZ, immediately went viral, with fans and analysts dissecting Doncic’s emotions during the game. Given the way his tenure in Dallas ended, it’s no surprise that he came into this matchup with an extra edge.
He was the face of the Mavericks, an MVP-caliber player who had led them to the NBA Finals in 2024, only to be unceremoniously traded for an aging and injury-prone Anthony Davis. The frustration had been bubbling beneath the surface, and against his former team, Doncic didn’t hold back.
Jason Kidd, for his part, had previously stated that he hadn’t spoken to Doncic since the trade and insisted he was just as surprised as everyone else by the deal. But whether Doncic believes that is another story.
His fiery reaction on the court suggested that he felt betrayed by more than just the front office. Perhaps he believes that Kidd, someone he played under for years, had more knowledge about the trade than he let on.
The Lakers ultimately secured a 107-99 win over the Mavericks, with Doncic finishing with 19 points, 15 rebounds, 12 assists, three steals, and two blocks. It wasn’t his most efficient shooting night, but his overall impact was undeniable.
Despite still adjusting to life in Los Angeles, Doncic played a crucial role in the victory, and his performance sent a clear message—he is still one of the most dominant forces in the NBA.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks continue to struggle without their former franchise player. They have gone just 6-4 in their last 10 games, and the absence of Luka’s playmaking has been glaring. Worse yet, Anthony Davis, the player they acquired in the trade, has only played one game before suffering an injury, raising even more doubts about the move.
Adding another twist to the drama, The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported that the Mavericks originally targeted Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards in a trade involving Doncic.
However, Minnesota rejected the idea outright, leaving Dallas scrambling before ultimately sending Doncic to Los Angeles. This revelation makes the Mavericks’ decision even more baffling and adds to the perception that they mismanaged their relationship with one of the league’s brightest young stars.
For Doncic, this game was more than just another regular-season matchup—it was personal. While he may not have admitted it outright, his words and actions on the court said everything that needed to be said.
The next time the Lakers and Mavericks meet, it will be in Dallas on April 9, and there’s no doubt Doncic will be looking to make another statement in front of the fans who once adored him.