After spending six seasons together as teammates on the Lakers, LeBron James and Anthony Davis faced off as opponents for the first time last night.
The Lakers triumphed over the Mavericks, securing a 112-97 victory at the American Airlines Center during Luka Doncic’s highly anticipated return to Dallas.
Post-game, LeBron was asked how it felt to compete against his former teammate, AD.
“Different,” James replied. “Different. Obviously, we had our own emotions tied to it, so I think it was just different. I believe this was the first time we played against each other since ’19, back when he was in New Orleans, my first season here… Just different, man. I ain’t comfortable yet with him being on the other side, for sure.”
James finished the game with 27 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and one steal, shooting 11-for-20 in 36 minutes of play.
He scored 13 of those points in the fourth quarter, with Davis offering high praise for the Lakers’ star.
“I think any time he got the ball — in [isolation] we did a good job, but his points were all slashes and over helps from other guys,” Davis noted regarding James’ strong fourth-quarter showing.
The center for the Mavericks also discussed the surprising trade that placed him with Luka.
“Both of us were caught off [guard], surprised by [the trade],” Davis shared with reporters. “But that was two months ago. It happened. There’s nothing we can do about it now. Just told him, ‘Good game.’ He played a hell of a game. Just a respect thing.”
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