Luka Doncic Sends a Fiery Message to Mavs Bench After Draining Deep Three
Luka Doncic’s first game against the Dallas Mavericks since his stunning trade to the Los Angeles Lakers was always going to be emotional. However, the intensity escalated when audio leaked, revealing exactly what Doncic said to Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd and the Dallas bench after nailing a deep three-pointer. The Slovenian superstar, visibly fired up, turned to the Mavericks’ bench and declared, “That’s what I fu**ing do… yeah!”
The message was unmistakable. Doncic, known for his competitive fire, clearly wanted to make a statement to the Mavericks’ brass, including Kidd and general manager Nico Harrison, who were part of the decision to trade him. The sentiment was clear: Luka hadn’t forgotten about how his time in Dallas ended.
The audio quickly went viral, sparking intense reactions from fans and analysts who speculated about Doncic’s emotions during the game. His desire to prove a point against his former team was palpable. Doncic had been the face of the Mavericks—an MVP-caliber player who led the team to the NBA Finals in 2024. Yet, despite his on-court success, he was traded to the Lakers for aging, injury-prone Anthony Davis. The move left a bad taste in Luka’s mouth, and this game was his chance to send a message.
Jason Kidd, for his part, had previously stated he hadn’t spoken to Doncic since the trade, expressing surprise at the deal. But whether Doncic believes Kidd’s surprise is another matter. Luka’s fiery reaction on the court suggested a sense of betrayal, and perhaps, he feels Kidd—someone he’d played under for years—had more knowledge about the trade than he let on.
The Lakers went on to win 107-99, with Doncic finishing the night with 19 points, 15 rebounds, 12 assists, three steals, and two blocks. While his shooting was inefficient, his overall impact was undeniable. Doncic’s performance was a testament to his continued dominance in the NBA, even as he adjusts to life in Los Angeles.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks have struggled to find their footing since trading away their franchise player. In their last 10 games, they’ve posted a 6-4 record, and the absence of Luka’s playmaking has been glaring. Even worse, Anthony Davis—the player acquired in the trade—has only played one game before suffering an injury, adding further doubts to the decision.
To complicate matters, The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported that the Mavericks had originally targeted Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards in a trade involving Doncic, but Minnesota rejected the idea outright. This left Dallas scrambling, ultimately sending Doncic to Los Angeles. This revelation has made the Mavericks’ decision to trade their star even more perplexing.
For Doncic, this game was more than just another regular-season matchup. It was personal. His words and actions on the court spoke volumes, sending a clear message to his former team. As the Lakers and Mavericks meet again on April 9 in Dallas, Doncic will likely look to make another statement in front of the fans who once adored him.
