When asked, Doncic and everyone else will play down the entire idea of revenge, but there is no doubt. Everyone knows what is going on. Doncic thought he would spend his entire career in Dallas and, on Feb. 2, unceremoniously had that rug (and tens of millions of dollars) pulled out from under him with a stunning trade to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Tonight’s matchup marks the first encounter between Dončić and the Dallas Mavericks since the blockbuster trade occurred on Feb. 1. The Mavericks traded Dončić, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-rounder.