The basketball world's eyes are squarely on Dallas on Wednesday night as Luka Doncic is making his anticipated return to Texas. It is the first time Doncic is back in Dallas since the blockbuster trade that sent the All-Star guard to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis.

During pre-game introductions, the Dallas PA announcer stopped short of introducing the Slovenian native. Instead, he asked everyone in attendance to turn their attention to the video board as a video tribute to Doncic was played.

The emotional video opened with NBA Commissioner announcing the Mavericks' pick of Doncic as the fifth pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. The video then went into a slew of montages that featured Doncic upon his arrival from overseas, to some of his greatest highlights in a Dallas uniform.

The ESPN cameraman eventually turned to Doncic, sitting courtside. You can clearly see how emotional the 26-year-old was as his eyes began to swell, understandably.

Doncic immediately transformed the Lakers from a middling team in the Western Conference to a contender. They enter Wednesday's game in third place in the Western Conference. They are one game ahead of four teams, with the Minnesota Timberwolves, currently the No. 8 seed, just two games back.

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So, as much as this night means to Doncic, it means just as much for the Lakers' playoff hopes at home-court advantage.

Meanwhile, this game is equally important for the Mavericks. They are currently 10th in the West. A win versus the Lakers will clinch a spot in the play-in tournament.

Anthony Davis, the counter-part to Doncic in the shocking trade, recently returned from injury. Davis got hurt in his first game with Dallas, leaving fans even more reason to be angry with the trade.

In the early going, Luka has come out aggressive. He has 14 first-quarter points on 5-for-9 shooting. With each basket, Doncic has received an ovation from the road fans in Dallas.