Luka Doncic’s 45 points against Mavericks brings out ‘Luka Luka’ and ‘Fire Nico’ chants

Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic returned to play against the Dallas Mavericks at his old stomping ground.

Luka Doncic’s 45 points against Mavericks brings out ‘Luka Luka’ and ‘Fire Nico’ chants

Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic dropped 45 points on the Dallas Mavericks

Luka Doncic returned to Dallas for the first time since the Mavericks traded him away to the Los Angeles Lakers. Fans across the world were waiting for this moment as it was going to be surreal for the 25-year-old as well as possibly being an opportunity to get revenge.

Even though the Mavericks have tried to negatively portray Doncic and question his drive in the past, they decided to give him a tribute video. He fought back tears and needed towels and tissues to keep the water in his eyes in check. Usually, emotions could hinder one’s performance.

YouTube video

But that was not going to be how Luka Doncic wanted to end the night. In fact, he started off with a vengeance that saw him rack up 31 points at the half. His teammates gave him the ball and got out of the way.

Every shot he took, he was cheered by both Los Angeles Lakers as well as Mavericks fans. That kept on in the second half even when the home team briefly took the lead. Doncic was quiet for much of the third quarter, then he came back into play and scored fourteen more points.

He ended with a Lakers career-high tying 45 points. Last time he had those numbers, the Lakers lost. This time though, the team ensured he got his revenge. Then with a little more than a minute left, JJ Redick asked him to foul and leave the game.

Walking to the bench, a section of the home crowd started chanting ‘Luka Luka’. After hugging and dapping up his teammates, LeBron James and Jaxson Hayes pushed the crowd to start the chant again. The Slovenian superstar stood their acknowledging everyone inside the building.

Fans went after Nico Harrison the entire night

While both the Dallas Mavericks as well as Los Angeles Lakers fans cheered for Luka Doncic, the same energy did not resonate when it came to the home front office. Owner Patrick Dumont was nowhere to be found, but GM Nico Harrison was standing near the tunnel entrance all throughout the game.

When his former franchise cornerstone was lighting up the first half, ‘Fire Nico’ chants engulfed the American Airlines Arena. Then as the game progressed and it looked like Anthony Davis was struggling, the same chants came out again.

The chants died down when the Mavericks briefly took the lead. But they returned once the Lakers were back out in front. Those chants kept on increasing when it became apparent that the away team was going to win.

The final straw was when Doncic checked out. Mavericks fans let out their loudest ‘Fire Nico’ chant of the night and Harrison could do nothing but watch as the home crowd made it clear what they felt about his decision.

Luka Doncic speaks about what made him emotional during tribute video

After the game, Luka Doncic made his way to the post-game press conference. The sheer number of reporters inside took him by surprise. But then he composed himself to answer all the questions. One question that stood out was what made him emotional during that tribute video.

I mean it was all of it for sure. But I would probably say that the shot in the Finals in the Conference Finals. we were always the underdogs in every series. The way we came together, played together. It was another level, and everybody was locked in. That was the moment.

Luka Doncic said

The five-time All-NBA first teamer vividly remembers how he and his then teammates battled against the odds to make it to the NBA Finals. Considering that memory was less than a year ago, it hit him the hardest.

He wanted to win his first NBA title with them. But fate would have it another way as now he will look to fight for titles with his new teammates wearing purple and gold. But for Doncic, his memories with the Mavericks will not likely fade overtime.