Luka Doncic said it was getting easier for him to face his old team after the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday, though he noted there are still difficult emotions attached to the game.

Doncic, who was surprisingly traded from Dallas to Los Angeles last year, produced a stellar performance on both sides of the ball on Saturday, as the Lakers claimed a 116-110 win.

On his second return to American Airlines Center, Doncic had 33 points and 11 assists, while he also produced a series of crucial defensive interventions in the closing stages.

Doncic's first return to Dallas – where fans protested against the decision to trade him – saw him break down in tears ahead of tip-off, then score 45 points in a dominant victory for the Lakers last April.

On Saturday, Doncic did not display quite the same level of emotion, though he did mistakenly walk towards the home locker room at half-time. 

"It's a special place," Doncic said. "I mean, I'm always going to want to win no matter what. Every game I want to win, but obviously, this one's a little bit different.

"That was really special. I didn't know what to expect before, because I know how this city gets when the weather is bad. I really appreciate a lot of people showing up."

Asked if facing his old team had got any easier, Doncic said: "There are still emotions, trust me.

"But it's a little bit better, a little easier for me. It's unbelievable. I've still got a lot of fans here, with the players, and some other people. I'm happy to be back."

Game-sealing charge for Luka? Squad was LOVIN' it  pic.twitter.com/UDbQwRsezM

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 25, 2026

Lakers coach JJ Redick does not think facing the Mavs will ever be normal for Doncic, saying: "The significance of this will probably be there for the rest of his career.

"This is where it started for him. It's where he made his first NBA Finals appearance. It's where he was drafted. 

"The significance for our team is there, and it's certainly there for him."

Doncic has now registered at least 30 points, eight assists and one steal in six consecutive road games. That is the longest such streak by any player in NBA history.

The Lakers' victory improved them to 27-17 for the season, and they are next in action against the Chicago Bulls on Monday. 

The Mavs, meanwhile, are 19-27 and visit the Milwaukee Bucks in the second game of a back-to-back on Sunday.