DALLAS — Maybe the Mavericks just needed some extra time to transition from early Christmas morning celebrations with their family and the team’s pregame Secret Santa exchange.
Perhaps Luka Doncic also had to break in his new Luka 1 colorway, those sky blue and gold Jordan Brand shoes that looked especially wintery and festive during Dallas’ first home Christmas showcase since 2011.
Regardless, the Mavericks settled in Sunday afternoon to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 124-115 and provide a third-quarter burst of cheer for all in American Airlines Center — except LeBron James’ crew — who celebrated a historic holiday showcase on and off the court.
Dallas tied a team record with 51 points in the third quarter and outscored the Lakers by 30 to avenge a disjointed, double-team heavy start and win the franchise’s first Christmas game since 2008.
Doncic tallied 32 points, nine rebounds, nine assists and two steals in 39 minutes, while Christian Wood dropped 30 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in 38 minutes of his most productive Mavericks game yet.
With spin moves, trash talk and a whole lot of second-half smiles, Doncic downed his childhood role model James on a national TV stage — during primetime in Slovenia, no less — and emerged as the only force in Dallas powerful enough to deflect attention from Dirk Nowitzki and his new statue.
For those who might’ve missed the mid-day Christmas start, the Mavericks won’t mind if you fast forward through the first half. The Lakers committed to double-teaming Doncic with more consistency than any opponent this season, and supporting shooters around the 23-year-old superstar failed to establish offensive rhythm.
Doncic didn’t attempt a shot until 3:52 remained in the first quarter and managed just six looks from the floor in the first half.
No surprise Dallas entered halftime down 11 (54-43).
With the Mavericks without their three best wing defenders — Dorain Finney-Smith (right hip adductor), Maxi Kleber (right hamstring surgery) and Josh Green (right elbow sprain) — James thrived in all facets against little resistance.
James finished with 38 points, six rebounds and five assists in 34 minutes, but ceded the spotlight to the Mavericks’ young superstar in the second half.
Dallas opened the third quarter with Dwight Powell at center next to Christian Wood — sending Reggie Bullock to the bench — and started on a 12-4 run, thanks to the roster’s most consistent formula for offensive success.
Wood, Tim Haradway Jr. and Spencer Dinwiddie (twice) hit 3-pointers in the first three-and-a-half minutes of the period, necessary supporting production to force the Lakers to quit hounding Doncic.
The Mavericks’ burst then ballooned to 24-9.
Then 33-11.
And finally, 51-21 by the quarter buzzer.
Throughout the period, Doncic dazzled with no-look passes. He shook his head and laughed after draining a Dirk-like post fade over Lakers point guard and noted defensive pest Patrick Beverley. He pretended to look lost after faking Los Angeles defenders on a putback layup in the paint.
Doncic (13 points), Hardaway (16) and Wood (9) combined for 38 points in the period as the Mavericks shot 72% from the floor (18 of 25) and 69.2% from three (9 of 13).
They matched their first-half scoring total (43 points) in 10 third-quarter minutes and beat their previous season-best quarter production (44 points vs. Denver on Nov. 18) on the next possession.
As Dallas led by at least 11 points for the entirety of the fourth quarter, Doncic deftly navigated foul trouble — thanks to a challenged charge — after committing his fifth with 7:36 remaining.
