The Lakers have already advanced to the quarterfinals of the in-season tournament thanks to a 3-0 score in West Group B, while the Mavericks are out of chances to advance due to a 1-2 record. But Doncic is far from without encouragement.
The five-time All-Star helped lead the Lakers to two wins over the Mavericks last season after his shock trade to Los Angeles, including a 45-point outburst in Dallas on April 9.
More importantly, Friday’s game provides the fourth opportunity for Doncic, Austin Reaves and LeBron James to play together following James’ return from sciatica.
The trio dominated Tuesday’s 135-118 home win over the Los Angeles Clippers, securing the Lakers a spot in the NBA Cup quarterfinals. Doncic scored 43 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds. Reeves recorded 31 points and nine rebounds, and James posted a season-high 25 points with six rebounds and six assists.
“It was a great game for all three of those guys,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “Luka is moving early and establishing himself. LeBron and AR, staying patient in that, being very efficient in the first half of that attack, Luka knew there was going to be an adjustment.”
James, a four-time MVP in his 23rd season, has no problem following someone else’s lead.
“Luca started it early,” James said. “It was kind of decided that this was going to be aggressive, and then we just followed that train.”
The Lakers, who finished second in the Western Conference, will now face the second-worst ranked team.
The Mavericks last played on Monday, when they lost 106-102 against the Miami Heat.
Dallas’ PJ Washington scored 27 points and grabbed eight rebounds, Daniel Gafford had 11 points with 11 rebounds, and rookie Cooper Flagg had 12 points on 5-14 shooting in 34 minutes.
Dallas shot 39.2% from the floor, losing for the fourth time in its last five games. The Mavericks played without Derek Lively II as he had surgery on his right foot, was swollen and will not play Friday.
There remains a possibility that Anthony Davis will return Friday after missing the last 14 games with a left calf strain. Davis, who was part of the swap for Doncic, returned to practice on Wednesday and is expected to play against the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday or Saturday.
“You know what game I want to play, but we’ll see,” Davis said. “We’ll have conversations. See what matters most with the medical staff and the coaching staff. No decisions have been made. … But at the end of the day, it’s all over again, whether it’s Friday or Saturday. We’ll discuss whatever.”
Since he was acquired from the Lakers last season, Davis has played in only 14 of a possible 53 games for the Mavericks, averaging 20.3 points with 10.1 rebounds.
–Field Level Media
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