On a very emotional night for Luka Dončić in his return to Dallas for the first time since the Mavericks traded him to the Los Angeles Lakers, he received words of encouragement after the game from Anthony Davis when they met on the court. After the Lakers' 112-97 win over the Mavs, Davis told reporters about his message to Dončić.

Luka Dončić gone. Anthony Davis injured in his debut. Kyrie Irving out for the season. Luka returns to Dallas. Here's a timeline of the Mavericks' miserable season.

The Mavericks are hosting Dončić and the Lakers for the first time since the stunning trade, giving Dallas fans their first chance to see their franchise's former star player back at American Airlines Center. Dončić squared off with his former team in February in L.A., posting a 19-point triple-double in a Lakers win.