All eyes were on Los Angeles Lakers Luka Doncic on Wednesday night as he made his highly anticipated return to Dallas to battle his former team, the Dallas Mavericks.
All the buzz surrounding Doncic made it easy to overlook the fact that Anthony Davis, who was traded to the Mavs as part of the Doncic blockbuster deal, was also battling his ex-teammates.
Davis, who spent the last six seasons with the Lakers, also saw himself shipped off in a shocking trade deal that virtually nobody saw coming.
It was a reunion of sorts for Davis as well on Wednesday night, and one particular exchange with former teammate LeBron James during the game grabbed attention on social media.
LeBron messing with Anthony Davis pic.twitter.com/90UQn9kG4c — BricksCenter (@BricksCenter) April 10, 2025 Both Davis and James had smiles on their faces as they subtly shoved each other on the court during a dead-ball situation.
These two spent many years together as teammates — they won a championship, too — and it will take some getting used to now that they’re on opposing teams. The moment drew all sorts of reactions from the folks on social media.
“LeMind Games,” a comment on X read. “Lebron trade him now he want to be best friends,” said another. “Ad wanna swing on him fr,” a user posted. Former Los Angeles Lakers duo Anthony Davis (3) and LeBron James (23).
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Kirby Lee Imagn Images “AD knows that Bron definitely knew before the trade ever happened. No world where Bron wouldn’t know before hand regarding the trades.
Ofc AD would feel like he is back stabbed,” accused a fan. “AD lowkey hot n ion blame him because we was one two pieces away from being a complete championship team but I think he understands.
It’s Luka,” another stated. “This (expletive) made me tear up,” a viewer claimed. In the end, it was James and the Lakers who secured the win in Dallas, 112-97.
The NBA’s all-time leading scorer went off for 27 points and seven boards against Davis, who finished with a 13-point, 11-rebound double-double.
There is no doubt, however, that it was Doncic who stole the spotlight with his incredible performance in his revenge game.
The five-time All-Star tied his career high with the Lakers by dropping 45 points on his former team on 16-of-28 shooting, to go along with eight rebounds, six assists, four steals and seven triples. Doncic wanted to send a message in this one, and it was loud and clear.