The Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks are expected to face off in a marquee preseason matchup this October in Las Vegas, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line. The exhibition will feature a dramatic reunion between All-NBA stars Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis—who were traded for each other in a stunning in-season blockbuster during the 2024-25 campaign.
The game is part of the NBA’s growing initiative to host preseason contests in neutral markets, with Las Vegas emerging as a key location amid ongoing speculation about future league expansion. More than just a showcase, the matchup offers an early glimpse at how two reshaped rosters will begin the 2025–26 season following the league-altering trade.
Los Angeles Lakers To Take On Dallas Mavericks in Preseason
Doncic and Davis last squared off on April 9, when the Lakers visited the Mavericks for the first time since the February 2 trade. In his return to Dallas, Doncic erupted for 45 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals on 16-of-28 shooting, including 7-for-10 from three, powering the Lakers to a 112–97 win. Davis, meanwhile, posted a quieter stat line with 13 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 block, shooting just 5-of-13 from the floor.
Their individual performances served as a microcosm of each team’s post-trade trajectory. The Lakers surged in the second half of the season behind Doncic’s brilliance, climbing into the playoffs before falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round. With LeBron James entering his 23rd season and Doncic now firmly entrenched as the franchise cornerstone, the Lakers are preparing for a pivotal offseason to retool around their new backcourt centerpiece.
The Mavericks, on the other hand, stumbled down the stretch and were eliminated in the Play-In Tournament by the Memphis Grizzlies. Davis, now tasked with anchoring Dallas’ frontcourt, faces an uphill battle. Complicating matters, Kyrie Irving is expected to miss a significant portion of the season due to a torn ACL, leaving Davis without his co-star and elevating the pressure on him to carry the team.
As Stein notes, the Vegas preseason clash offers more than just early-season entertainment—it serves as a measuring stick for both teams’ futures. The Lakers will be testing out a new system and building continuity around Doncic, while the Mavericks must begin to gel with Davis in a featured role and brace for the challenges of Irving’s extended absence.
Though an exact date and broadcast information have not yet been released, the matchup is already generating buzz across the league. With two former teammates now headlining rival franchises, the early-October showdown in Las Vegas is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated preseason games in recent memory.