The Los Angeles Lakers secured a thrilling 107-99 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on February 25, 2025, in a game filled with intensity, emotions, and high stakes. This matchup marked Luka Doncic’s first game against his former team since being traded to Los Angeles earlier this month. LeBron James dominated the fourth quarter, while Doncic recorded a triple-double, sealing a crucial win for the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena.
Lakers vs. Mavericks: Game Overview
The Mavericks (31-28) entered this game seeking momentum, while the Lakers (35-21) were riding a two-game winning streak. All eyes were on Luka Doncic, who faced his former team for the first time after his shocking trade from Dallas to L.A. Meanwhile, the Mavericks were without Anthony Davis, who was sidelined due to injury.
The game was a closely fought battle, with the Mavericks rallying in the second half to tie the game at 91-91 midway through the fourth quarter. But in crunch time, LeBron James took over, scoring 16 points in the final quarter to lead the Lakers to victory.
Key Performances
Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James – 27 PTS | 12 REB | 3 AST (16 points in Q4)
Luka Doncic – 19 PTS | 15 REB | 12 AST (Triple-Double)
Austin Reaves – 20 PTS | 5 AST | 3 3PM
Rui Hachimura – 15 PTS | 6 REB | 2 BLK
Dallas Mavericks
Kyrie Irving – 35 PTS | 5 REB | 4 AST (Mavericks’ top scorer)
Klay Thompson – 22 PTS | 5 3PM | 8 REB
PJ Washington – 10 REB | 5 AST | 8 PTS
Max Christie – 10 PTS | 2 AST
Game Highlights
First Half: Lakers Dominate Early
The Lakers started strong, building a double-digit lead in the second quarter behind efficient shooting from LeBron James and Austin Reaves. Luka Doncic, playing with high emotions, took some time to settle but still managed to impact the game with his passing and rebounding.
However, Max Christie and Klay Thompson hit crucial three-pointers for Dallas, cutting the Lakers’ lead to 59-51 at halftime.
Second Half: Mavericks Fight Back
The third quarter belonged to Dallas, with Kyrie Irving leading the charge. He erupted for 15 points in the quarter, bringing the Mavericks back into the game. A step-back three from Irving and a deep shot from Thompson helped Dallas outscore the Lakers 26-19 in Q3, setting up a dramatic finish.
At the start of the fourth quarter, the game was tied 91-91, setting the stage for a tense final stretch.
LeBron James Takes Over in the Fourth Quarter
As the game reached its climax, LeBron James proved why he remains one of the best in the league at 40 years old. He scored 16 of his 27 points in the final period, including a thunderous put-back dunk that electrified the crowd.
Meanwhile, Luka Doncic facilitated key plays, feeding LeBron for open shots and securing defensive rebounds. A crucial LeBron-to-Doncic alley-oop in transition sealed the game, putting the Lakers up by eight points with under a minute to play.
Post-Game Reactions
Luka Doncic on facing Dallas: "It was emotional, but I’m happy we got the win. I still have a lot of love for the Mavs."
LeBron James on the win: "We stayed poised. Luka made some big plays, and we closed the game the right way."
Kyrie Irving on the loss: "We had our chances. We just didn’t execute well in the final minutes."
What’s Next?
The Lakers (35-21) are on a three-game winning streak and will look to keep climbing the Western Conference standings. Meanwhile, the Mavericks (31-28) need to bounce back as they continue adjusting to roster changes.
Both teams could meet again in the NBA Playoffs, and if this game was any indication, it would be a must-watch series.
Final Score: Los Angeles Lakers 107, Dallas Mavericks 99
Next Lakers Game: vs. Golden State Warriors
Next Mavericks Game: vs. Phoenix Suns