Luka Doncic scores 45 in his 1st game back in Dallas as Lakers clinch playoff spot

DALLAS — Even with postseason implications on the line, it’s been clear for more than two months what Wednesday night was going to be about: Luka Doncic making his return to Dallas to face the Mavericks for his first time as a visiting player since being traded to the Lakers.

The white t-shirts on every seat inside the American Airlines Center, which read “Hvala za vse” – the Slovenian phrase for “Thank you for everything,” made it evident.

The pregame festivities, including an emotional...