The first question for many NBA fans after the Dallas Mavericks shockingly traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 2 was simple: When do the Lakers next play in Dallas?
The answer: April 9, a nine-week wait for what ultimately would become one of the most anticipated regular-season games.
Sure, the Mavericks already had traveled to face Doncic and his new team on March 1, a 109-104 Lakers victory.
But Wednesday night's contest at American Airlines Center was the league's must-see event of the second half.
Doncic, the crowd in Dallas and both teams met the moment, and the Mavericks' former star reminded his former franchise why fans held protests, and even a symbolic funeral, after the trade.