Anthony Davis Reveals What He Said to Luka Doncic After Lakers' Win vs. Mavs in Dallas

On a very emotional night for Luka Dončić in his return to Dallas for the first time since the Mavericks traded him to the Los Angeles Lakers, he received words of encouragement after the game from Anthony Davis when they met on the court.

After the Lakers' 112-97 win over the Mavs, Davis told reporters about his message to Dončić.

"Both of us were caught off [guard], surprised by [the trade]," Davis said. "But that was two months ago. It happened. There's nothing we can do about it now. Just told him, 'Good game.' He played a hell of a game. Just a respect thing."

Dončić's emotions came out before tipoff when the Mavs played a tribute video of highlights from his seven seasons with the club.

After composing himself when the game began, Dončić did what most fans and analysts would have expected him to do in a game of this magnitude. He tied his season-high with 45 points in 38 minutes.

Dončić said following the victory that the support from his Lakers teammates and coaches helped carry him through the game.

Big time, because they all had my back," Doncic explained. "Everybody had my back, from coaches to players, and we're trying to build something special here. That was really, really, really nice to see."

Davis, who was playing against his former team for the first time, struggled to find a shooting rhythm. His 13 points were his third-fewest in a game since joining the Mavericks, though he did have 11 rebounds and six assists.

Not only did Mavs fans have to be reminded of what they no longer have with Dončić playing on the opposing team, they also had to watch as the Lakers clinched a playoff berth on their court.