Luka Dončić’s Dominant Season Fuels Lakers, Highlights Staggering Trade Aftermath
LOS ANGELES, January 26, 2026 – Nearly a year after a blockbuster trade sent shockwaves through the NBA, Luka Dončić is authoring an MVP-caliber season for the Los Angeles Lakers, while a staggering new statistic underscores the lopsided nature of the deal. Dončić, who returned to Dallas and led the Lakers to a 116-110 victory on January 24, has already scored more points in first quarters this season than Anthony Davis has totaled all year.
A Return to Dallas and a Record-Setting Pace
In his second game back at the American Airlines Center since the trade, Dončić posted 33 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds in a comeback win. The performance was part of a dominant stretch where he has averaged 34.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 9.7 assists over his last three games. For the 2025-26 season, the 26-year-old Slovenian guard leads the NBA in scoring, averaging 33.4 points per game to go with 7.8 rebounds and 8.7 assists.
The Trade That Reshaped Two Franchises
On February 2, 2025, the basketball world was stunned when the Dallas Mavericks traded their franchise cornerstone, Luka Dončić, to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis and guard Max Christie. The decision, defended by then-Mavericks executive Nico Harrison on the premise that “defense wins championships,” ultimately led to Harrison’s dismissal. Nearly a year later, the conversation around the trade remains heated, fueled by Dončić’s elite play and Davis’s injury-plagued season in Dallas.
Key Facts & Season Statistics
| Statistic | 2025-26 Average |
|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 33.4 (NBA Leader) |
| Assists Per Game | 8.7 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 7.8 |
| Field Goal Percentage | 46.5% |
| Three-Point Percentage | 33.3% |
| Points in First Quarters (Season) | 408 |
The Staggering Statistic
A recent StatMuse revelation has put the contrast between Dončić and Davis into sharp focus. Through games of January 24, Dončić has poured in 408 points in first quarters alone this season. Meanwhile, Anthony Davis, who has been limited to 20 games due to multiple injuries including a hand ligament issue, has accumulated just 407 points for the entire 2025-26 campaign.
Current Landscape
Dončić’s brilliance has the Lakers in fifth place in the competitive Western Conference with a 26-17 record. The Mavericks, rebuilding around rookie Cooper Flagg, sit at 19-26 and are actively exploring the trade market for the injured Davis ahead of the February 5 deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Luka Dončić traded to the Lakers?
Luka Dončić was traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers on February 2, 2025, in a deal that sent Anthony Davis and Max Christie to Dallas.
What are Luka Dončić’s stats this season?
For the 2025-26 season, Dončić is averaging 33.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game, leading the NBA in scoring.
How has Anthony Davis performed since the trade?
Anthony Davis has struggled with injuries, playing only 20 games for the Mavericks this season. He has totaled 407 points, one point fewer than Dončić has scored in first quarters alone.
What was the result of Dončić’s latest game in Dallas?
On January 24, 2026, Dončić led the Lakers to a 116-110 comeback victory over the Mavericks in Dallas, recording 33 points, 11 assists, and 8 rebounds.