The Luka Doncic trade sent shockwaves throughout the sports world earlier this year, and many fans circled April 9 on their calendars.

Luka Doncic Returns to Dallas Tonight. It's a Lot Bigger Than Basketball. - D Magazine

Doncic would play his first game back in Dallas since being traded, and all eyes were on the new Los Angeles Lakers star in his “revenge” game against the Mavericks.

Doncic has a reputation as a showman, and he gave fans plenty of entertainment on Wednesday night. He scored 45 points – 31 in the first half – to lead the Lakers to a victory over his former team. The game was a massive win for Doncic, the Lakers and the NBA as a whole.

The intrigue around Doncic’s return to Dallas made for great theater, and fans tuned in around the country to see what would happen.

According to Front Office Sports, 2.26M viewers tuned in to see Doncic and the Lakers take on Anthony Davis and the Dallas Mavericks. That’s the largest audience for a non-Christmas Day game on ESPN this season.

The night began with a tribute video played for Doncic during player introductions, and he was visibly emotional.

“After that video, I was, like, ‘There’s no way I’m playing this game,’” said the five-time All-Star. “It was so many emotions.”

Doncic played, and he was lifted by the crowd. Despite the fact that Doncic now wears the purple and gold of the Lakers – a hated Maverick rival – fans cheered him with every made shot on Wednesday.

The fans also continued to chant “Fire Nico,” a clear vote of displeasure with general manager Nico Harrison.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 06: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers is introduced before a game against the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena on February 06, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Doncic said that he appreciated the fact that he was able to share the moment with his new teammates, because they all “had [his] back.”

“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.”

The win was a massive moment for Doncic on a personal level, but the Lakers were also able to secure a playoff spot on Wednesday night as the season draws to a close.

The order of the No. 3 through No. 10 seeds has yet to be finalized in the western conference, and the Lakers are looking to secure home court.

Lakers' Luka Doncic scores 45 points in Dallas return, leads L.A. to win - Sportsnet.ca