The Los Angeles Lakers secured a 129-119 win over the Dallas Mavericks in their final group stage game of the Emirates NBA Cup on Friday night. The matchup featured several notable storylines, including Luka Doncic facing his former team and top overall draft pick Cooper Flagg taking on a key role for Dallas.
Luka Doncic, who was traded from the Mavericks to the Lakers, scored 35 points and added 11 assists in his second appearance against his old team. Reflecting on playing Dallas again, Doncic said, “I would say it’s a little bit easier now. Like I said, games against Dallas always have some special meaning to me. I still have a lot of friends there. At the same point, it’s some fun, but it’s always special. Like I said, it will always be special for me.”
Austin Reaves led all scorers with 38 points for the Lakers. For Dallas, rookie Cooper Flagg recorded 13 points and 11 assists as he continues to adjust to expectations as the first overall pick in the draft. Doncic expressed confidence in Flagg’s future: “I think he’s a good player,” Doncic added. “Obviously, there’s a lot of pressure that comes with the first pick. He has a lot on his shoulders. But I think he will be a great player.”
Flagg is seen by many as not only carrying the weight of being a top draft selection but also as someone expected to fill Doncic’s role as franchise cornerstone for Dallas.
With this victory, the Lakers completed group play undefeated at 4-0 and will next host the San Antonio Spurs in the quarterfinals of the Emirates NBA Cup.
