The Luka Dončić trade created a before-and-after moment for the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers. When the two teams met in January 2026 for Dončić’s second game back in Dallas since the swap, the Lakers erased a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit to win 116-110, a game that revealed as much about postseason stakes as about raw box scores.

4 related posts

Latest Game (Jan 24, 2026): Lakers 116-110 Mavericks ·
Mavericks’ Recent Win (Apr 5, 2026): Mavericks 134-128 Lakers ·
Luka Dončić points (Jan 24): 33 ·
Cooper Flagg points (Apr 5): 45

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • The exact motivations behind the Mavericks’ decision to trade Luka Dončić remain unconfirmed by the front office (ESPN Game Recap)
  • Future meeting dates for the 2026-27 season are not yet scheduled (ESPN Game Recap)
3Timeline signal
  • February 2025: Luka Dončić traded to Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick (ESPN Game Recap)
  • Jan 24, 2026: Lakers win 116-110 in Dallas – Dončić’s second return visit (ESPN Game Recap)
  • Feb 12, 2026: Lakers win 124-104 in Los Angeles (ESPN Box Score)
  • Apr 5, 2026: Mavericks win 134-128 in Dallas (CBS Sports GameTracker)
4What’s next
  • The next Mavericks-Lakers game is TBD for the 2026-27 season (ESPN Box Score)
  • Both teams continue to jockey for playoff positioning – Lakers at 27-17 after Jan 24, Mavericks at 19-27 after Jan 24 (ESPN Box Score)

The pattern across the three meetings: the Lakers controlled games when they dictated the third-quarter pace, while the Mavericks succeeded only when they kept the score tight into the fourth.

Key facts from the 2026 Mavericks-Lakers games
Category Detail Source
Top scorer in Jan 24, 2026 game Luka Dončić – 33 points, 11 assists ESPN Game Recap
Lakers’ record after Jan 24 win 27-17 ESPN Box Score
Mavericks’ record after Jan 24 loss 19-27 ESPN Box Score
Lakers’ largest comeback (Jan 24) Erased 15-point deficit in final 7 minutes ESPN Game Recap
Cooper Flagg points (Apr 5, 2026) 45 points in Mavericks’ win CBS Sports GameTracker
Lakers’ record entering Feb 12 game 33-21 ESPN Box Score
Mavericks’ record entering Feb 12 game 19-35 ESPN Box Score
Third-quarter dominance (Feb 12) Lakers outscored Mavericks 32-19 ESPN Box Score

What were the key player stats in the most recent Mavericks vs Lakers game?

The most recent meeting as of this writing is the April 5, 2026 game, won by the Mavericks 134-128 in Dallas. Rookie Cooper Flagg led all scorers with 45 points, according to the CBS Sports GameTracker recap. The Lakers were without LeBron James due to injury, and the Mavericks capitalized to snap a two-game losing streak against Los Angeles in 2026.

The upshot

Cooper Flagg’s 45-point outburst signals the Mavericks’ young core can carry the offense even without the star power of a traded-away Luka Dončić. Flagg’s production exposed the Lakers’ defensive gaps in transition.

Game flow highlights

  • The Mavericks built a lead early and held off a late Lakers push (CBS Sports GameTracker)
  • LeBron James scored 30 points in the loss (CBS Sports GameTracker)

The implication: the Mavericks proved they can beat the Lakers even when the game becomes a shootout, a shift from the earlier 2026 matchups where Los Angeles controlled the pace.

Who is favored to win, the Lakers or the Mavericks?

Looking at the three 2026 meetings, the Lakers won two (Jan 24 in Dallas and Feb 12 in Los Angeles), while the Mavericks won the most recent April 5 game. The ESPN Box Score shows the Lakers had a 27-17 record after the Jan 24 win, compared to the Mavericks’ 19-27, suggesting Los Angeles had better overall form. However, the April 5 result, with the Mavericks at full health, indicates the gap may be narrower than the standings suggest.

2026 head-to-head results

The three games reveal a clear pattern: the Lakers thrive when they control the third quarter, while the Mavericks need to keep the game close into the fourth to win.

Comparison of the three 2026 Mavericks-Lakers games
Date Winner Score Location Top scorer (winner)
Jan 24, 2026 Lakers 116-110 Dallas Luka Dončić 33 pts (ESPN)
Feb 12, 2026 Lakers 124-104 Los Angeles Not specified – Lakers led by committee (ESPN Box Score)
Apr 5, 2026 Mavericks 134-128 Dallas Cooper Flagg 45 pts (CBS Sports)

The pattern: the Lakers won when they could control the third quarter (outscoring Dallas 32-19 on Feb 12), while the Mavericks won when they kept the game close into the fourth. Betting lines for future matchups will likely favor the Lakers slightly, but the April 5 result introduces uncertainty.

How did the Luka Dončić trade affect the rivalry?

The trade that sent Dončić to the Lakers in February 2025 redefined the Mavericks-Lakers dynamic. According to the ESPN Game Recap of the Jan 24, 2026 game, Dončić’s return to Dallas was described as a “post-trade storyline,” and the game itself carried extra emotional weight. The Lakers’ ability to erase a 15-point deficit in the final seven minutes, with Dončić leading the comeback, demonstrated Los Angeles’ gain.

The trade-off

The Mavericks lost a perennial MVP candidate but gained Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick. The April 5 win suggests the rebuild is not barren – Cooper Flagg’s 45-point game hints at a new star in Dallas.

Confirmed timeline

  • February 2025: Trade executed (reported by multiple outlets, inferred from Dončić’s second visit context in ESPN Game Recap)
  • January 24, 2026: Dončić’s second game back in Dallas as a Laker
  • April 5, 2026: Mavericks’ first win over Lakers post-trade

What this means: the trade turned a one-sided rivalry (Lakers historically lead all-time series) into a narrative-driven showdown where every game carries playoff implications and personal stakes.

What was the biggest comeback in the 2026 games?

The standout comeback came on January 24, 2026. The Mavericks led by 15 points entering the fourth quarter, but the Lakers outscored them 37-23 in the final period to win 116-110. ESPN’s game recap notes that the Lakers erased the deficit in the final seven minutes, a surge driven by Luka Dončić’s scoring and playmaking.

Quarter-by-quarter breakdown (Jan 24)

  • 1st quarter: Lakers 37-28 (ESPN Box Score)
  • Halftime: Lakers 65-52 (ESPN Box Score)
  • 3rd quarter: Mavericks 35-14 (ESPN Box Score)
  • 4th quarter: Lakers 37-23 (ESPN Box Score)

The catch: the Mavericks dominated the third quarter but ran out of gas. It is a pattern that might haunt them in future close games – the Lakers have the experience and closing talent.

Related reading: **Milwaukee Bucks vs Chicago Bulls Match Player Stats – Full 2025-26 Series Data** · **2026 NBA All-Star Game: Location, Date, Rosters, Format**

Additional sources

sofascore.com, statmuse.com

For a detailed breakdown of that February 12 matchup, check out the Dallas Mavericks vs Lakers player stats for a full box score and analysis.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the head-to-head record between the Mavericks and Lakers in 2026?

Through three games in 2026, the Lakers lead 2-1 (wins on Jan 24 and Feb 12; Mavericks won Apr 5). (ESPN Box Score)

How many points did LeBron James score in the latest Mavericks game?

LeBron James scored 30 points in the April 5, 2026 loss, per the CBS Sports GameTracker.

Who has the highest scoring average in Mavericks-Lakers matchups this season?

Among players who appeared in at least two games, Luka Dončić averages 33 points (one game), but Cooper Flagg’s 45-point outburst in April gives him the single-game high. No player has a multi-game average that can be calculated from available data. (ESPN)

What is the biggest win margin in Mavericks-Lakers history?

The largest margin in the 2026 meetings is 20 points (Lakers 124-104 on Feb 12). All-time records are not part of the available verified facts. (ESPN Box Score)

When is the next Mavericks vs Lakers game?

As of this writing, the 2026-27 NBA schedule has not been released. The teams last played on April 5, 2026.

How did the Doncic trade affect the Mavericks’ performance?

The trade immediately weakened the Mavericks’ record – they were 19-27 after the Jan 24 loss, compared to the Lakers’ 27-17. However, the April 5 win suggests the team is adapting around young talent like Cooper Flagg. (ESPN Box Score)

For the Dallas Mavericks front office, the challenge is clear: build around the emerging core (Flagg, Anthony Davis) to close the gap with the Lakers. The April 5 win is a foundation, but the next season’s matchups will determine whether it was an anomaly or a turning point.