The Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks will clash in a must-watch matchup on Tuesday, Feb. 25, at 10 p.m. ET on TNT. The game marks the first team meeting since the shocking Feb. 2 trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, a move that sent shockwaves across the sports world.
The blockbuster deal, which saw the 25-year-old Slovenian star leave the team that drafted him, ignited social media, generating over 4 million mentions in just two days. Celebrities and athletes, including Lil Wayne, Patrick Mahomes, and Metro Boomin, reacted surprisedly, while Mavericks fans voiced their disappointment with protests online and outside the arena.
Since acquiring Doncic, the Lakers have surged, holding the NBA’s best record since Jan. 15 (14-4). LeBron James, defying age at 40, has averaged 29.1 points over his last six games, while Austin Reaves has stepped up, averaging 21.3 points since Christmas. Meanwhile, Dallas has faced adversity. Davis suffered a left adductor strain in his Mavericks debut on Feb. 8 and will be re-evaluated in two weeks. Kyrie Irving, however, has stepped up in Doncic’s absence, scoring at least 30 points in four of his last seven games.
Despite the abrupt transition, Doncic and Davis have embraced their new cities. Doncic donated $500,000 to wildfire recovery efforts in Los Angeles, while Davis vowed to reinvigorate his foundation in Dallas, pledging to bring energy to the franchise and its community.