The NBA landscape shifted seismically in February 2025 when the Dallas Mavericks sent franchise cornerstone Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in a blockbuster deal involving Anthony Davis. While the long-term ramifications of this trade will be debated for years, one immediate trend has emerged: total Lakers dominance over their former star’s old team.
Since Dončić swapped a Mavericks jersey for the purple and gold, the Los Angeles Lakers are a perfect 5-0 against the Dallas Mavericks. This unblemished record is a stark reminder of the power shift that occurred with the trade, and it’s a bitter pill for Mavericks fans to swallow.
The Anatomy of a 5-0 Streak
This five-game winning streak isn’t just about one player. It’s a testament to how the Lakers have integrated Dončić and built a formidable team around his unique talents, even amidst injuries.
Here’s a look at the head-to-head matchups since the trade:
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February 12, 2026: Lakers 124, Mavericks 104. Even with Luka Dončić sidelined due to a hamstring strain, the Lakers cruised to a 20-point victory. LeBron James, defying father time at age 41, recorded a triple-double to lead the way.
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January 24, 2026: Lakers 116, Mavericks 110.
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November 29, 2025: Lakers 129, Mavericks 119. Austin Reaves exploded for 38 points in this high-scoring affair.
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April 9, 2025: Lakers 112, Mavericks 97. Luka Dončić dropped a season-high 45 points against his former team in a game that guaranteed a losing season for Dallas.
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February 25, 2025: Lakers 107, Mavericks 99. In an emotional first meeting after the trade, Dončić recorded his first triple-double as a Laker (19 points, 15 rebounds, 12 assists) to lead L.A. to victory.
What This Means for Both Franchises
For the Lakers, this 5-0 record is a massive validation of the trade. They acquired a generational talent in Dončić, who, despite some injuries, has formed a lethal partnership with LeBron James and a talented supporting cast. The team is built to win now, and their dominance over a conference rival like the Mavericks is a strong indicator of their championship aspirations. The Lakers have successfully transitioned from the LeBron-AD era to a team built around Luka’s timeline, securing their future for years to come.
For the Mavericks, the picture is far more complicated. The trade for Anthony Davis was meant to improve their defense and win-now potential, but injuries and a lack of cohesion have plagued the team. The sight of their former hero leading a rival to repeated victories is a painful reminder of what they gave up. The Mavericks are currently mired in a losing streak and face an uncertain future as they try to rebuild around an aging core and develop young talent like Cooper Flagg. The question of “why did they make this trade?” continues to haunt the franchise and its fanbase.
The Future of the Rivalry
While the Lakers currently hold all the cards in this rivalry, the NBA is a league of constant change. The Mavericks will undoubtedly look to snap this losing streak and prove that they can compete in the post-Luka era. However, as long as Luka Dončić is wearing purple and gold, every matchup between these two teams will be must-watch TV, charged with the emotion and history of one of the biggest trades in NBA history.
For now, Lakers fans can bask in the glory of their 5-0 record, while Mavericks fans are left to wonder what could have been. The fire of this rivalry has been stoked, and the next chapter promises to be just as dramatic.
