Luka's Defense Sparks Lakers' 29-8 Run in Dallas Win

Luka Doncic wiped away tears the last time he returned to Dallas as a Laker, then dropped 45 points on his former team. This time, he showed the world he could lock up on defense too.

The Lakers erased a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit Saturday night to beat the Mavericks 116-110, capping the comeback with a stunning 29-8 run. Doncic stood at the center of it all, not with his signature stepback but with six consecutive defensive stops.

"Just a fantastic job from him," Lakers coach JJ Redick said after counting the possessions where Dallas deliberately targeted Doncic on defense. The 25-year-old answered every challenge, then sealed the game by drawing a charge on his old teammate Naji Marshall with 41 seconds left.

The moment felt especially sweet after Redick had publicly called out Doncic following Thursday's loss to the Clippers for not trusting his teammates enough. Doncic responded with 33 points on efficient 8-for-15 shooting, 11 assists, and eight rebounds while taking just 15 shots.

"Fifteen shots up, so I take JJ's point," Doncic said with a smile, acknowledging his coach's criticism had landed.

The defensive stand came when the Lakers needed it most. LeBron James scored 11 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter, while Rui Hachimura delivered seven straight points including a four-point play that gave LA the lead for good with 2:15 remaining.

Even Marcus Smart played through literal pain, popping his surgically repaired index finger back into place on the bench before returning to score seven fourth-quarter points. That's the kind of grit that defines teams going somewhere special.

Why This Inspires

This game matters beyond the box score. The Lakers are showing they can win in different ways, with different heroes stepping up each night.

Last season, Doncic's emotional first return to Dallas sparked a nine-game hot streak that included a buzzer beater in Indiana and a dominant win in Oklahoma City. The Lakers are hoping this victory launches similar momentum, especially with Austin Reaves expected back from injury as early as Wednesday.

For Doncic personally, the night represented growth. He visited his Dallas house and car collection Friday, then thanked fans who braved icy roads to pack the arena and chant "MVP" during his free throws. He got to exchange trash talk with Marshall, score a beautiful finger roll late, and prove he's more than just an offensive weapon.

The best part? The Lakers are doing this together. Ball movement replaced hero ball. Defense became contagious. Smart literally popped his finger back in to keep fighting.

Three wins in their last four games suggests this team is finding its identity at exactly the right time.