"Cuban might have been trying to trigger Luka": Fans buzz as ex-Mavericks forward sheds light on Luka Doncic's response to Mark Cuban's boos

Luka Doncic made a triumphant debut against his former team, the Dallas Mavericks, recording a triple-double to lead the Lakers to a 107-99 victory. The game wasn’t just action-packed — it was filled with drama, especially with former Mavericks owner Mark Cuban in attendance.

On Wednesday’s episode of "Run It Back," former Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons shared a lighthearted moment between Doncic and Cuban during the game. He revealed that Cuban playfully heckled Doncic every time he touched the ball.

"Every time Luka would touch the ball, Cuban would start booing him,” Parsons said. “At one point Luka looked over at him and literally said, 'Mark, shut up!'"

Some fans speculated that Cuban was intentionally trying to fire Doncic up.

“This was def out of love. S**t Cuban might have been trying to trigger Luka on purpose to help him get into the zone,” one fan said.

“It’s all love.. he was talking to his agent and dad later on,” another commented.

“Mark was trying to poke the bear,” another said.

Doncic finished with 19 points, 15 rebounds, 12 assists, three steals and two blocks. Though he struggled with efficiency, shooting just 6-of-17, he contributed across the board to help secure the Lakers' win.

Doncic and Cuban have maintained a strong relationship, with Cuban orchestrating the Mavericks’ move to trade up in the 2018 NBA draft to land the Slovenian star.

Back in 2020, Cuban even joked that he would prioritize keeping Luka Doncic over his marriage.

“If I had to choose between my wife and keeping Luka on the Mavs, catch me at my lawyer’s office prepping for a divorce,” Cuban told Swishline in 2020.

Cuban sold a majority stake in the Mavericks to the Adelson family for $3.5 billion three years later. As a result, Patrick Dumont took over as team governor, and Nico Harrison gained more authority as general manager.

Some fans were unhappy with Cuban’s decision to sell the team.

“Yep Mark is a SELL OUT sold the team this wouldn't have happened,” one said.

“Disgusting person,” another said.

“Yeah everyone had a great time, so many laughs, except heartbroken Mavs fans. We have been sacrificed to save the league with this back room dirty deal so the casino conmen owners can move the team to Vegas in a few years!!!” another added.

Luka Doncic reflects on 1st game against former team

After the game, Luka Doncic admitted that playing against the Mavericks felt “different” and that he barely got any rest leading up to the matchup.

"It was just a lot of emotions and not much sleep," he said (per ESPN). "I can't even explain [it]. It was a different game. ... Sometimes I don't know what I was doing … And I'm just glad it's over, honestly."

"It's not ideal. But like I said, I'm glad this game is over. There was a lot of emotions. But we go little by little, and every day is better."

Luka Doncic will return to Dallas as an opponent for the first time on April 9, when the Lakers and Mavericks meet again.