Cavaliers Rout Mavericks as Dallas Faces New Era Without Dončić: “Still Shocked Right Now”
The Dallas Mavericks (26-24) shifted dramatically early Sunday as news broke that Luka Dončić, the face of the franchise, had been traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. The aftershocks were palpable mere hours later when the Mavericks fell 144-101 to the Cleveland Cavaliers (40-9) at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
The blockbuster deal sent Dončić, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris to Los Angeles in exchange for Anthony Davis and Max Christie. This seismic shift in roster composition left the Mavericks disoriented on the court, where the Cavaliers capitalized ruthlessly, setting a franchise record with 26 three-pointers.
“I was like everybody – did Shams get hacked? It was a real big shock,” Mavericks guard Danté Exum said. “I’ve been traded twice, and you just learn that it’s how this business works, and it’s something you have to adjust to.”
The Mavericks continued to play shorthanded as they were without Kyrie Irving (right shoulder soreness), P.J. Washington (right knee soreness), and Daniel Gafford (left ankle soreness) after they were each downgraded from questionable to out. Meanwhile, Dereck Lively II (right ankle stress fracture) and Dwight Powell (right hip strain) remained sidelined.
Evan Mobley led the scoring with 22 points, spearheading a Cavaliers’ offense that set a franchise record with 91 first-half points, tying for the third-most in a half in NBA history. Darius Garland contributed 17 points and 10 assists, while Sam Merrill tied a franchise record with nine 3-pointers, highlighting a day when Cleveland hit 26 shots from beyond the arc.
The Cavs’ blistering start was exemplified by Garland’s remarkable performance early in the game. He hit three made three-pointers in just 66 seconds, propelling Cleveland to a 27-9 lead. This early blitz underpinned a first quarter in which the Cavaliers scored 50 points, setting the tone for a game that saw them build a commanding 45-point lead by halftime.
Jaden Hardy, who led the Mavericks with 21 points, discussed the emotional toll of the former franchise cornerstone being traded.
“It’s tough, but we all have a job to do,” Hardy said. “Obviously a lot of people were caught off guard, same with the team, like the rest of the world. He was special. A lot of guys felt for him. Still shocked right now.”
The Mavericks, hoping to return to the Finals, must integrate Davis and Christie into their lineup as they continue their road trip. It remains to be seen if they will be available in the coming days, but Dallas’ next outing is in Philadelphia on Tuesday.
Dončić took the time to bid farewell by texting his teammates, expressing gratitude, and reflecting on the deep connections he had built with them.
“He texted the team, thanking everybody for everything,” Hardy said. “That was nice from somebody that got traded, reaching out and letting everybody know his thoughts.”
Klay Thompson provided a historical perspective on the trade’s significance, likening it to LeBron James‘ famous departure to Miami in 2010.
“It’s similar to LeBron going to Miami. Obviously, that was on his own accord,” Thompson said. “But Luka is a franchise player, and I’m sure he’ll enjoy the sunshine in Cali.”
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd spoke about the team’s need to adapt and regroup as they settle into their new-look squad. The message has been that it will require patience,, but there is internal belief in their potential.
“It’s going to take time,” Kidd explained. “He has been a big part of the franchise for six years-plus. So right now, he’s been out for six weeks, so we have to lean on that — that he hasn’t been with the team. Health is first, then with the newcomers, getting those guys involved, it’s going to take a little time. But we believe if we can get healthy and we have some time to get the newcomers familiar with the system, we can put some wins together.”
The Mavericks rank ninth in the Western Conference, with just a one-game lead over the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors. Dallas has a thin margin for error in turning these high expectations into a postseason reality.
