The NBA often delivers surprising twists, as shown by the career paths of Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson, both drafted in 2018. Despite starting in Dallas together, the two now play for teams on opposite coasts—Brunson with the New York Knicks since 2022, and Doncic with the Los Angeles Lakers following last year’s blockbuster trade.
They met as opponents on Sunday night, where the Knicks secured a 112-100 victory by rallying in the third quarter. Though Brunson struggled with his shooting, going 4-for-13, he contributed 13 assists to help seal the win. Doncic put up impressive numbers with 30 points, 15 rebounds, and 8 assists, but it was not enough to overcome New York.
Brunson Reflects on Doncic’s Unexpected Lakers Journey
After the game, Brunson described the experience of seeing his former teammate in a Lakers uniform as “definitely weird.” He acknowledged the surprise many felt, given the expectation that Doncic would remain in Dallas for a long time.
I think we all expected him to be in Dallas for the longest time, but yeah, now he’s a Laker and he’s playing great, and he’s still doing the things he does,
said Brunson, recalling their time together when he served as Doncic’s backup.
Brunson’s move to New York via free agency has allowed him to develop into an All-NBA caliber player, while Doncic has consistently been the franchise star. This season, Doncic is elevating his game further, leading the league with 33.6 points per game and ranking second in assists at 8.8, aiming for his first MVP award.
Management Decisions Impact Both Players’ Careers
The contrasting fortunes of Brunson and Doncic also highlight the struggles of former Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison. Harrison faced heavy criticism for trading Doncic in exchange for Anthony Davis, who has battled injuries and is sidelined until at least March. Equally damaging was Harrison’s decision to let Brunson leave in free agency without gaining any compensation.
Knicks teammate Josh Hart, reflecting on the historic Doncic-Davis trade after their win against the Lakers, shared a more lighthearted take on the event.
I’m kind of used to it now,
Hart said.
The only thing I’m mad about that day is it didn’t happen earlier, because Max Christie gave us 15 and we lost. So it would have been nice for him not to be on the team, and maybe we would have won.
Hart’s memory recalls that the Knicks had also played the Lakers a year ago, then losing 128-112 despite Hart’s 26 points. Max Christie, who later moved in the trade that brought Doncic to Dallas, scored 15 points in that game.
Continuing Bonds and Upcoming Showdowns
Though Brunson and Doncic no longer share the same team or backcourt, their relationship remains strong. They are set to reunite soon as starters in the NBA All-Star Game, where they will once again showcase their talents on a shared stage despite their divergent paths.
Jalen Brunson says it's "definitely weird" to see Luka Dončić in a Lakers jersey:
"I think we all expected him to be in Dallas for the longest time. Now he's a Laker and he's playing great and still doing the things he does." pic.twitter.com/gtvnJM5Amu
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) February 2, 2026
Josh Hart was asked about the one-year anniversary of the Luka Dončić trade:
"One thing I'm mad about that day was that it didn't happen earlier because Max Christie gave us 15 and we lost" 😂 pic.twitter.com/q2vbjesjAc
— SNY Knicks (@sny_knicks) February 2, 2026
Luka Doncic flipped off Jalen Brunson after the Knicks beat the Lakers 💀 pic.twitter.com/VV4xyfx4hS
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) February 2, 2026
