- That Dallas is down only eight after that first-quarter offensive performance is something of a miracle. Keeping them alive: second chances (seven offensive rebounds) and Laker miscues (six L.A. turnovers, three by LeBron, leading to five Dallas points).
- The non-Kyrie Irving Mavericks are 2-for-18 from the field. Almost like they’re missing a guy who elevates everyone on offense.
- Dallas is offensively inept right now. You knew it would be trouble with no AD, but Kyrie is struggling and open shots look laborious. 26 percent shooting in the first quarter.
- It’s 28-20 Lakers after the first quarter and has been about what we were expecting. Luka Doncic is doing everything he can to make the Mavericks miserable, though he missed the last few minutes of the frame.
- The Mavericks have 20 points. Luka has already scored or assisted on 20 points. Balance, in all things.
- Like some old Mavericks wins, it is so far the Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving show. Doncic has nine points, seven rebounds and four assists in 10 minutes of play, while Irving leads all scorers with 14 points on 5-of-10 shooting. It’s 25-20 Lakers with 2:12 remaining.
- The refs just wiped a 3-pointer for Luka Doncic because he was out of bounds, so he’s down to seven points.
- The Lakers just gave Anthony Davis a tribute video, followed by a standing ovation. Lakers players are standing and applauding their former teammate.
- On the Mavericks’ end, Kyrie Irving also has 10 points.
- Let’s say it’s an emotionally charged start here. Luka with a technical foul, and with a couple primal yells after triples. Scorned energy.
- We knew Luka Doncic had this game circled. In the first break in play, he has 10 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists in about six minutes. He just buried a 3 then stared down the Mavericks bench. This is personal.
Luka’s arm gets pulled, the referee misses an easy call, Luka gets angry about it, and the referee calls a technical.
This isn’t the way it should be. Refs need to be held accountable, and players shouldn’t be punished for horrible officiating.
— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) February 26, 2025
- The refs missed a foul when Luka Doncic was hacked on both arms in the paint. His reaction resulted in a technical foul.
The Mavericks are starting the game with Max Christie as the primary defender on Luka Doncic.
— Noah Weber (@noahweber00) February 26, 2025
