Luka Doncic Powers Lakers' Stunning Comeback Victory Over Mavericks
In a dramatic NBA showdown, Luka Doncic delivered a masterful performance with 33 points and 11 assists, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a remarkable 116-110 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night (Sunday, January 25, 2026, Philippine time). The Associated Press reported that the Lakers erased a daunting 15-point deficit in the final seven minutes, showcasing their resilience and clutch play.
Doncic Dominates in Return to Dallas
This marked Doncic's second visit to Dallas since his high-profile trade to Los Angeles nearly a year ago, and he improved his record to a perfect 4-0 against his former team. Unlike his emotional return last season, where he was moved to tears by a tribute video, Doncic displayed focused determination this time, nearly perfect at the free-throw line by making 14 of 15 attempts.
LeBron James contributed 17 points, with 11 coming in the pivotal fourth quarter, as the Lakers closed the game with a decisive surge. His efforts were crucial after a slow start that saw him with a minus-28 rating early in the final period.
Key Moments in the Lakers' Rally
The comeback was ignited by Rui Hachimura, who sparked the rally with a four-point play followed by a three-pointer on the next possession, putting the Lakers ahead for good. His go-ahead triple for a 108–106 lead ignited an 11–2 run, which Doncic capped with a driving layup to stretch the margin to eight points. The Slovenian star then turned toward the Dallas bench, signaling that the game was over.
Despite the loss, the Mavericks had strong performances from Max Christie, who scored 24 points, and Naji Marshall, who posted 21 points and 11 rebounds. Dallas saw its season-best four-game winning streak snapped after dominating the middle portion of the game, outscoring the Lakers 41–14 from the start of the third quarter into the early moments of the fourth.
Mavericks' Early Dominance and Late Collapse
Dallas turned a 13-point deficit into a 14-point lead, highlighted by Brandon Williams' eight points during a 10–2 run to close the third quarter. Williams finished with 20 points after the period opened with a 20–4 Mavericks burst. However, the team still led by 15 with less than seven minutes remaining before the Lakers' comeback began.
Other NBA Game Results
In other NBA action, the Charlotte Hornets beat the Washington Wizards 119–115, the New York Knicks edged the Philadelphia 76ers 112–109, the Cleveland Cavaliers won 119–105 at Orlando, the Chicago Bulls stunned the Boston Celtics 114–111, and the Miami Heat rolled past the Utah Jazz 147–116.
