The former Mav was visibly emotional during the pregame tribute.
DALLAS — If you’re someone who tears up during sad movies, chances are you felt the palpable emotion that filled the American Airlines Center during the Dallas Mavericks’ pregame tribute to now-Laker, and beloved former Mav, Luka Doncic on Wednesday.
The team played a video looking back on his six-and-a-half years in Dallas just before Doncic was introduced in the Lakers’ starting lineup for his first game back at American Airlines Center since being traded in early February. Lasting just more than two minutes, the tribute highlighted the highs of Dončić’s career in Dallas — from the moment he was drafted to the day he was dealt.
Check the full clip out below:
The tribute ended with the message, “Hvala Za Vse, Luka!” — the same phrase printed on shirts placed on every seat in the arena. That saying, in Doncic’s native Slovenian language, means “Thank you so much.”
The emotion could be seen all over Doncic’s face while the footage played overhead.
The buildup to Doncic’s return to AAC has been intense, leaving fans torn between cheering for the star who led their team for seven seasons or the franchise that traded him away.
It hasn’t been easy for the fans — and, on Wednesday, it appeared clear that the entire ordeal has weighed heavily on Doncic, too.