The Lakers' new big man took the free throw line. The team's former big man was the center of attention of the fans.
“I miss you, HELL!” A Lakers a fan screamed in silence when Deandre Ayton ready to shoot a free throw in the first quarter Friday.
Former Lakers star Anthony Davis Played his first game in Los Angeles since being traded to the Mavericks last season, posting 12 points, five assists, five rebounds and three blocks on the season. Lakers win 129-119. on Crypto.com Arena.
The Lakers (14-4) won their sixth straight game to move into West Group B of the NBA Cup, securing home-court advantage in the tournament quarterfinals. The Lakers will host the San Antonio Spurs, who won Group C West, on Dec. 10 at 7 p.m.
The Mavericks (5-15) lost their third straight game. The blockbuster deal that sent Luka Doncic to Los Angeles in the 10 months since it rocked the NBA, it has become even more lopsided.
Doncic had 35 points and 11 assists for the Lakers. Former Laker guard Max Christie, who was also part of the trade, scored 13 points and became a regular starter for the Mavericks.
After two emotional games against his former team last year, Doncic said some of the feelings have subsided, but the games against Dallas will always have special meaning for him.
Friday's game marked a timely return for Davis, who played his first game after missing a month with a calf strain. The injury dragged on for several weeks as the Mavericks fell into the basement of the Western Conference.
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reeves (15) scores two of his 38 points against Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson (31) during the second half at Crypto.con Arena on November 28, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
Meanwhile, the Lakers have the second-best record in the West. Doncic leads the league in scoring with 35.1 points per game.
Doncic's continued rise to superstardom and Davis' growing injury list have only made things worse for Mavericks fans. They got their revenge when former general manager Nico Harrison was fired on Nov. 11, but the change only marked a new low for a team that reached the NBA Finals two short seasons ago.
Now the player who was supposed to help fill the void left by Doncic has found himself in trade rumors. Without Davis, the Mavericks went 3–11.
To keep Davis in a positive mental state during the upheaval for the franchise, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd told him to simply focus on getting better.
“The train keeps moving,” Kidd said. “Regardless of being traded or fired, you have to keep moving. [it] had to focus on my body and come back healthy. … It’s impossible to decide everything in 24 minutes tonight, but as we move forward we feel like we have a chance to win when he’s fit.”
On Friday, Davis was limited to 24-27 minutes. To comply with the restriction, he had to leave the game with 6:56 left in the fourth quarter, with the Mavericks trailing by just three points.
According to Davis, leaving the court is hurtful. He had two blocks, an assist and a basket in the first five minutes of the fourth quarter, then the Lakers went on a 9-1 run after Davis went to the bench.
According to Kidd, Davis is still one of the best in the world when healthy. The coach noted Davis' impressive performance at the Paris Olympics, when he averaged 8.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks while shooting 62.5 percent from the field.
The Lakers didn't need reminding of Davis' talent. Coach JJ Redick said Davis will get the respect all star players deserve because of his versatile skill set. But more than blocking shots or scoring goals for the Lakers, Redick valued Davis for his support during Redick's first year as head coach.
“Really grateful that I had the support from him coming in on day one and having never coached before,” Redick said. “So, it’s one of those things where you root for certain guys… You had certain teammates, there will always be guys that I coached.” [who] I either root for them after they are not your teammate or one of your players. Not when they play against us. Not tonight.
Last year, the Lakers aired a tribute video when Davis was sidelined with an abdominal injury in his first game after the trade. Fans showered him with applause when he was introduced into the starting line-up on Friday. LeBron James playfully shoved Davis at midcourt before the game, and the two exchanged the same elaborate handshake that teammates do before games.
Lakers guard Luka Doncic sets up a jumper between Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington and guard Max Christie on Friday at Crypto.com Arena.
(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
After the game, Lakers players lined up to hug Davis. Austin Reaves, who dominated with 38 points on 12-of-15 shooting with eight rebounds and three assists, gave him a two-armed bear hug. Davis grabbed the strap of his T-shirt and pointed at Reeves.
“I always liked his game, what he could do,” Davis said. “He's doing it more consistently now, putting up elite numbers… I always knew he was a player who could play at this level.”
Reeves walked out of the Lakers' locker room with Davis' blue No. 3 jersey, signed by his former teammate.
“He's one of the best players to ever touch the game. I don't know why he needs my jersey,” Reeves said. “But for me, it's a lot of fun. … From day one, he told me to be myself, not to be anyone else. Keep working and really be myself on the court. So I owe him a lot.”
