Dave McMenaminNov 13, 2025, 02:34 AM ETCloseLakers and NBA reporter for ESPN. Covered the Lakers and NBA for ESPNLosAngeles.com from 2009-14, the Cavaliers from 2014-18 for ESPN.com and the NBA for NBA.com from 2005-09.Follow on X
Following L.A.’s 121-92 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night, Doncic was asked for his reaction to the dismissal.
A reporter followed up by asking whether Doncic could ever envision returning to play for the Mavericks now that Harrison no longer works for the organization.
Harrison shocked the basketball world in February when he traded Doncic to the Lakers in a deal centered around Anthony Davis, Max Christie and L.A.’s 2029 first-round pick. Maxi Kleber, who was included by the Mavericks to make the salaries line up, also was asked for his reaction to the Harrison news after the Lakers’ morning shootaround session.
“It’s a fast business, man,” Kleber said. “Players, GMs, coaches, everybody. So, always got to be ready for the next move.”
He had been off to an electric start for L.A. this season — averaging 37.1 points, 9.4 rebounds and 9.1 assists through his first seven games — before struggling mightily against the defending champion Thunder.
Doncic finished with a season-low 19 points on 7-for-20 shooting (1-for-7 on 3-pointers), 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 turnovers against the Thunder. The Lakers were outscored by 31 points in the 33 minutes Doncic was on the court, and their 30-point deficit at the break was the most Doncic has ever trailed at the half in his eight-year career.
“Definitely wasn’t our best game,” Doncic said. “Probably one of the worst this season, but they did a great job. I think they all did a great job on me. They’re champions for a reason, so they showed that today. I think we need to be more ready. Obviously, it starts with me. I need to be way better than that and just got to figure [it] out.”
Oklahoma City improved to a league-best 12-1. The Lakers, 1-2 on their current five-game road trip that ends with a back-to-back in New Orleans and Milwaukee, are No. 5 in the West with an 8-4 record.
OKLAHOMA CITY — After one of the most lopsided defeats of his career, Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic was asked to comment on the orchestrator of what many consider to be one of the most lopsided trades in league history, the deal that sent him to L.A. from the Dallas Mavericks. Nico Harrison, the Dallas president of basketball operations and general manager who first approached Lakers president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka with the trade idea in January, was fired by Mavs governor Patrick Dumont on Tuesday.
CloseLakers and NBA reporter for ESPN. Covered the Lakers and NBA for ESPNLosAngeles.com from 2009-14, the Cavaliers from 2014-18 for ESPN.com and the NBA for NBA.com from 2005-09.Follow on X
“But just trying to move on and focus on what I’m doing here.”
“Right now, I’m just focused on the Lakers,” Doncic said. “No further comments.”
Doncic, who was acquired by the Mavericks in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks on draft night 2018, went on to become Rookie of the Year and was a five-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA selection, one-time scoring champion and named the 2024 Western Conference finals MVP — all by the age of 25 — with his former team.