The Dallas Mavericks will face Luka Dončić on Tuesday night for the first time since they shockingly traded him away at the beginning of the month. It's a highly anticipated matchup after the deal sent Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers,

The game was the most watched regular season game this year outside of opening night, and the most-streamed regular season game on Max ever.

DALLAS — As North Texas bids farewell to one of its greatest basketball stars, a vibrant mural dedicated to former Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Dončić was unveiled Friday, just in time for his 26th birthday.

During his post-game interview, the 40-year-old veteran offered insights into Dončić's performance and the emotional challenges of playing against old teammates.

LUKA DONČIĆ AND THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS You cannot convince me that Luka Dončić didn't want this one, and not just the W. In front of the man who shipped him out of Dallas earlier this month, the Los Angeles Lakers' heir apparent picked up his first triple-double as a member of the purple-and-gold last night -- and in the first meeting against his old club no less.

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Dončić has his own history against the Clippers, a team he hasn't seen since he shut the door on an era last spring.

Luka Dončić as a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Anthony Edwards as a Dallas Maverick? It was a thought pursued by Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison, according to The Athletic's Sam Amick.

People within the league continue to believe that Dallas made a grave mistake in dealing its young superstar. Tuesday's game showed why.