Luka Doncic made his highly anticipated return against the Dallas Mavericks for the first time since his blockbuster trade to the Los Angeles Lakers, delivering a triple-double to help his new team secure a 107-99 victory. Elsewhere, the Cleveland Cavaliers extended their winning streak to eight games, while the Boston Celtics continued their strong run with a win over the Toronto Raptors.
Luka Doncic Leads Lakers to Victory Over Former Team
Doncic, who was traded from Dallas to Los Angeles in exchange for Anthony Davis in a deal that shook the NBA, put up 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists against his former teammates. The Slovenian star admitted the emotions of the game affected his performance, but he still played a crucial role in securing the win for the Lakers.
“I don’t know how to explain it,” Doncic said post-game. “It was different. I couldn’t make anything today, but I’m just glad we got the win.”
TRIPLE-DOUBLE LUKA pic.twitter.com/T93nMdyTlm
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 26, 2025
Despite his shooting struggles, Doncic came up big in key moments, including an assist to LeBron James in the final minutes to seal the game.
James led all Lakers scorers with 27 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter, as the Lakers pulled away late. The short-handed Mavericks, playing without Davis, were led by Kyrie Irving, who scored a game-high 35 points, while Klay Thompson added 22 points.
The win gave the Lakers an important boost as they continue their push for a top spot in the Western Conference standings.
LEBRON/LUKA LEAD LAL
Bron: 27 PTS (16 in 4Q), 12 REB, 11-17 FGM
Luka: 19 PTS, 15 REB, 12 AST, 3 STL, 2 BLKThe @Lakers are 4th in the West as they improve to 8-2 in their last 10 games! pic.twitter.com/WuZuHGzGJX
— NBA (@NBA) February 26, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers Dominate Orlando Magic to Extend Winning Streak
The Cleveland Cavaliers continued their impressive run of form, securing their eighth consecutive win with a commanding 122-82 victory over the Orlando Magic.
Ty Jerome led the Cavs in scoring off the bench, contributing 20 points in just 21 minutes. Max Strus added 17 points, hitting five three-pointers.
Cleveland improved their record to a league-best 48-10, despite a quiet night from star guard Donovan Mitchell, who was limited to just 11 points.
CAVS WIN! @KayJewelers | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/rBWejVzInq
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) February 26, 2025
Head coach Kenny Atkinson praised his team’s style of play, emphasizing their high-tempo, unselfish approach.
“We move it quickly up the floor, make quick decisions, and everyone touches the ball—it’s a fun style of play,” Atkinson said. “You need a high skill level to play that way, and we have that.”
The Cavaliers’ dominance has solidified their status as one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference.
Boston Celtics Secure Sixth Straight Win Against Toronto Raptors
The Boston Celtics kept pace with the Cavaliers by extending their own winning streak to six games with a 111-101 victory over the Toronto Raptors.
Jaylen Brown led the way with 24 points, while Derrick White added 22 points, including six three-pointers. Payton Pritchard contributed 20 points, and Jayson Tatum recorded 19 points and 11 assists.
The Celtics built a 17-point lead early in the fourth quarter, and although the Raptors managed to cut the deficit to seven with just over four minutes remaining, Boston held firm to close out the game.
WWWWWW pic.twitter.com/In3rmKYY3l
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 26, 2025
Brown left the game in the final minutes with a leg injury, but White stepped up late, sealing the win with a crucial three-pointer.
“Standards are standards, no matter who is playing,” White said. “A lot of guys stepped up and had big minutes for us, and we figured it out.”
The Celtics were missing several key players, including Kristaps Porzingis (illness), Jrue Holiday (rest), Luke Kornet (personal reasons), and Al Horford (toe injury), making the win even more impressive.
Ja Morant Lifts Memphis Grizzlies in Overtime Thriller Against Phoenix Suns
In one of the most exciting games of the night, the Memphis Grizzlies edged the Phoenix Suns 151-148 in overtime.
Ja Morant was the standout performer, scoring 29 points and dishing out eight assists. Morant took over in the fourth quarter, scoring 15 points, including the game-tying shot in the final seconds of regulation.
The high-scoring affair saw multiple lead changes, but Memphis managed to pull away in overtime to secure the hard-fought win.
With the victory, the Grizzlies strengthened their position in the Western Conference standings, while the Suns were left frustrated after another close loss.
NBA Playoff Race Heats Up
With the regular season entering its final stretch, every game is crucial for teams fighting for playoff positioning. The Lakers’ win over the Mavericks boosts their playoff hopes, while the Cavaliers and Celtics continue to separate themselves at the top of the Eastern Conference.
As the season progresses, expect more thrilling matchups, standout performances, and dramatic playoff battles as teams push for a spot in the postseason.
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