The long-awaited clash between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks finally took place on November 28, 2025, as part of the NBA Cup group stage. Fans had been looking forward to this matchup since February, especially with Anthony Davis returning to full health and Luka Doncic continuing his dominant form.
The Mavericks began strong with Luka Doncic dictating the pace early on. He scored 18 points in the first half, adding 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Kyrie Irving supported him with sharp perimeter shooting, stretching the Lakers’ defense.
For Los Angeles, LeBron James controlled the tempo while Anthony Davis protected the rim. The Lakers closed the half trailing by only three points, 58–55.
In the third quarter, Doncic displayed his full offensive arsenal, combining shooting and passing to maintain Dallas’s lead. However, D’Angelo Russell’s timely three-pointers and Austin Reaves’ hustle plays kept the Lakers competitive.
The turning point came midway through the fourth quarter when Davis blocked two consecutive shots and followed with a put-back dunk, sparking a 9–0 Lakers run. Despite Doncic’s late-game heroics, the Lakers prevailed 118–114.
LeBron praised his team’s resilience, saying:
“We showed tonight that when we defend and share the ball, we’re tough to beat.”
Doncic, despite the loss, stayed optimistic:
“It’s one game in the Cup. We’ll get back stronger.”
The victory boosted the Lakers’ position in their NBA Cup group standings, keeping them in contention for the knockout stage. Dallas, while disappointed, remains a strong candidate to advance with upcoming games against Phoenix and Denver.
Author Summary:
A thrilling NBA Cup duel saw the Lakers overcome Luka Doncic’s brilliance as Anthony Davis led a decisive fourth-quarter surge for a 118–114 win.