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Luka Doncic says he will always call Dallas home but refuses to rule out playing for the Mavericks again.
Doncic left the Mavs for the Los Angeles Lakers in February, angering the fan base. With calls to fire Dallas GM Nico Harrison heard long and loud before the ax finally fell on Tuesday.
Doncic had a strong start to the season in Los Angeles and was in no mood to make headlines when asked about Harrison’s dismissal following the Lakers’ 121-92 loss by the Oklahoma City Thunder last night.
“The city of Dallas, the fans, the players, they’ll always hold a special place in my heart,” Doncic said. “I thought I was going to be there forever, but I didn’t. So, it’s always going to be a special place for me. I’ll always call it home. But right now, I’m focused on the Lakers and trying to move on. But obviously, there’s always going to be a part of me there.
“But just trying to move on and focus on what I’m doing here.”
Focusing on the Lakers – Doncic
Asked if Harrison’s departure could eventually see him return to the Mavs, Doncic added: “Right now, I’m just focused on the Lakers. No further comments.”
Doncic was the face of the franchise in Dallas, becoming a five-time All-Star, a five-time All-NBA selection and the 2024 Western Conference Finals MVP.
And after a slow start in LA, he’s starting to warm-up after working hard on a fitness regime in the offseason.
The Lakers have no answer for the dominant Thunder
He averaged 37.1 points in his first seven games but, like his teammates, struggled against the Thunder, The Joes went 12-1 and set markers trying to defend the NBA crown they won last season.
Doncic finished with a season-low 19 points.
“Definitely not our best game,” he said. “Probably one of the worst this season, but they did a good job. I think they all did a good job on me. They’re champions for a reason, so they showed that today. I think we need to be more prepared. Obviously, it starts with me. I need to be better than that and just find (it).
“They were champions for a reason and that’s a big motivation. They started the year better (than last season), I think. It’s a big motivation to see how they play and try to stop them.”
