Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson were drafted by the Dallas Mavericks in 2018 and instantly became close friends. That friendship has carried over, no matter that they are now both playing for different teams. Thursday night was the first time Luka played against Jalen as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. After the game, he made sure to keep that memory.
Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson are Brothers For Life
Luka and Brunson played four years together in Dallas. Brunson really got going in his third year, while Luka won Rookie of the Year and was an All-NBA player in his second year. Jalen was 22 years old when he began playing for the Mavericks, and he was sort of a big brother to Luka. The two managed to get the Mavericks to the Western Conference Finals in 2022 when they lost to the eventual champion the Golden State Warriors. After that playoff run, Brunson signed as a free agent with the New York Knicks.
At this deadline, Doncic was traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers. In the first game as a Laker against his close friend, Luka dominated the game with 32 points in an overtime win.
After the game, the two exchanged and signed each other’s jerseys. The video of the moment showed how close these two are. Years after they both went their separate ways, Luka and Jalen keep tabs on each other.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-riJt8rhvsw?feature=oembed&w=800&h=450]
Both wrote brother for life on the jerseys. Brunson wrote, “LD my brother for life. Always. Love”, while Luka wrote, “To my brother JR! Love!”
It is clear these two have a special relationship. During their time in Dallas, they would always joke with each other, showing their true friendship.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIkHO0jdclM?feature=oembed&w=800&h=450]
Brunson Reacts to Luka Trade
Going back to the Dallas–Lakers trade that sent Luka to LA, even Jalen couldn’t believe that would happen. Speaking on a podcast with Josh Hart, he said:
“Rob Pelinka even said he thought it was a joke. It’s a head-scratcher… It’s a head-scratcher by how it all went down. I never thought Luka would get traded without him asking for one, I never thought he’d get offered first… I just find it’s a big question mark on it. If it works for the Mavs, good. But I feel like the Mavs fans have invested their heart and soul into Luka. Since day one. When Luka got there, that’s their guy. Everyone was like, Luka’s the man.”
The two guards were part of one of the most dynamic backcourts in the NBA. While Brunson showed flashes of a great No. 2 option, he was never this good in Dallas. Of course, the Mavs had a chance to get him on a cheap deal, but they waited for too long and he left.
The Knicks-Lakers game definitely deserved a proper ending between the two friends. Doncic and Brunson delivered, both on the court and off the court in a moment of mutual admiration. They will not play each other again this season unless both make it to the NBA Finals.
© Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
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