Luka Doncic is set to face his former team for the first time since his shocking trade to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Slovenian superstar will host the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night in what promises to be an emotional encounter.
Just over three weeks have passed since the blockbuster deal that sent shockwaves through the NBA.
Doncic, who turns 26 on Friday, spent five seasons with Dallas before the unexpected trade.
Luka Doncic made the swap to the Lakers earlier this years
Reuters
The trade stunned the sports world when Dallas shipped out their franchise cornerstone who had led them to the NBA Finals last season.
Doncic had earned five All-NBA selections with the Mavericks and won the scoring title last year.
He had expected to spend his entire career in Dallas.
The highly anticipated matchup will take place at the Lakers' home arena, with TNT broadcasting the game to a national audience.
Lakers coach JJ Redick believes Doncic will handle the reunion well despite the circumstances.
"I think he'll be fine," Redick said. "Every day that he's been with us, it's becoming just a little bit more normal."
Redick acknowledged the emotional challenge ahead for his star player.
"The first time you play your old team, particularly this close in time duration, it's going to be weird. But he'll be able to handle it."
Doncic showcased his star power in a recent performance against the Denver Nuggets.
He recorded an impressive 32 points with four 3-pointers, 10 rebounds, seven assists and four steals.
The Lakers secured a convincing 123-100 victory over the Nuggets, a team that had previously troubled Los Angeles.
"When he made the first 3, I was like, 'OK, he's on it tonight,'" Lakers forward Rui Hachimura said after the game.
Luka Doncic is on a star-studded side including LeBron James
Reuters
The matchup unfortunately won't feature both headlining players from the blockbuster trade. Anthony Davis, who teamed up with LeBron James to win the 2020 championship with the Lakers, is sidelined.
The star man is out for at least two more weeks with a groin injury sustained in his first game with Dallas. Davis is travelling with the Mavericks and a full on-court reunion will have to wait until at least 9 April, when the Lakers visit Dallas.
Doncic has played in only four games for the Lakers since recovering from a strained calf that sidelined him for 6 and a half weeks.
His initial appearances came with minutes restrictions as he worked his way back to full fitness.
He struggled in his third game, shooting just 5 for 18 and making only one 3-pointer in nine attempts during a loss to Charlotte.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Luka Doncic has yet to hit top form since moving from the Mavericks to the Lakers
Reuters
The Lakers, however, maintained they weren't concerned about their new star's form.
Dorian Finney-Smith, who also joined the Lakers from Dallas, expressed confidence in his former teammate's abilities.
"I knew it was going to come," Finney-Smith said regarding Doncic finding his form.
He added: "Luka, I shoot with him all the time, so I knew there was nothing wrong with his shot."
Finney-Smith acknowledged the adjustment period for Doncic after his injury layoff.
"He ain't played since Christmas... it takes time for him. I'm just happy he's finding his rhythm."
