Image Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

WATCH: ‘Hermanos’ Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving’s emotional reunion at Mavericks vs Lakers

Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic had an intense court-battle in the first quarter.

Image Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving’s emotional reunion at Crypto.com Arena was one of the most beautiful moments in the Lakers-Mavericks matchup. The former Dallas teammates turned into rivals following the blockbuster trade that sent Donic to the Los Angeles Lakers. It was the first matchup for Luka Doncic against his former team.

Before the tip-off on Tuesday night, both former Mavericks teammates shared a beautiful moment at mid-court. Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic performed their signature handshake. Both stars formed a great bond during their time in Dallas.

The Mavericks star also met LeBron James for the handshake. Irving had also played with LeBron on same team when the duo was part of the Cavs in 2017.

Kyrie with pregame daps for his former teammates LeBron & Luka 🤞

We're UNDERWAY on TNT! pic.twitter.com/IqD5Ul7wsv
— NBA (@NBA) February 26, 2025

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Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving share mutual respect for each other

The warm hug and a handshake before the game shows mutual respect between the two players. Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic had an intense battle in the first quarter but the Lakers held a 59-51 lead at the break. Irving scored 14 of his team’s 20 points in the first quarter. He scored two straight threes over Luka Doncic and LeBron James.

Before the game, Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving talked about the intensity of this matchup and considered it as “high level basketball game.”

“High level basketball game,” Irving spoke to the media on facing Luka Doncic. “A lot of good players on the floor at once. Outside of just the obvious of us being in L.A., being a former team of Luka’s, obviously the narrative’s already written. I don’t know what else I can really add to that.“

Kyrie Irving shares his perspective on the Dallas Mavericks facing Luka Dončić with the Los Angeles Lakers for the first time on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/egcufryvpM
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) February 23, 2025

“I’m pretty much focused in telling my guys just to focus on the high level game we’ve got to win. I would love to get into the motions after the game with you, but before the game it’s just about having fun and making sure that we lock in.”

Kyrie Irving also visited the Kobe and Gigi statues outside of the Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles. Dallas star was introduced to Kobe Bryant while on the Cavaliers by a coach, and since then, Irving had a huge respect for the NBA legend. He also remembered Kobe when the Mavericks played the 2024 NBA finals.

Image Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.