On Sunday night at Madison Square Garden, Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks secured a 112-100 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Although the Knicks won, Luka Dončić delivered an impressive performance for the Lakers, scoring 30 points, grabbing 15 rebounds, and dishing out eight assists in 37 minutes, while shooting 10-of-23 from the field.
Jalen Brunson Reflects on Playing Against Former Teammate Luka Dončić
After the game, Brunson shared his thoughts on Dončić, who is now one of the standout players for the Lakers. Speaking to the media, Brunson noted,
“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.”
Brunson and Dončić were Mavericks teammates early in their careers, helping lead Dallas to the 2022 Western Conference Finals before Brunson moved to New York that summer. This season marks Dončić’s first full year with the Lakers, where he’s posting remarkable numbers.
Luka Dončić’s Outstanding Season with the Lakers
Dončić is currently averaging 33.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, 8.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game across 40 contests. His shooting efficiency stands at 47.6% from the field and 34.8% from beyond the arc. According to recent stats, Dončić holds the Lakers’ record for the most games in a season with at least 30 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.
“Luka Doncic now has the most 30/5/5 games in a single season in Lakers history.”
It has been a year since the blockbuster trade that sent Dončić to the Lakers and Anthony Davis to the Mavericks, a swap that generated widespread attention across the NBA landscape.
Jalen Brunson’s Contributions for the Knicks in Another Strong Season
During the game against the Lakers, Brunson recorded 12 points, seven rebounds, 13 assists, and one steal over 37 minutes, shooting 4-of-15 from the field and 2-of-6 from three-point range. He is performing well this season for New York, averaging 27.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 6.1 assists, with shooting percentages of 47.2% overall and 38.3% from three-point territory.
“Former teammates. 2026 NBA All-Star starters. Luka Dončić & Jalen Brunson share this funny moment on Sunday Night Basketball on NBC & Peacock 🤣”
Current Standings and Team Trajectories in the NBA
The Knicks hold the second seed in the Eastern Conference with a 31-18 record through 49 games and are riding a six-game winning streak, boasting a strong 20-6 record at their home court. Meanwhile, the Lakers sit in the sixth spot in the Western Conference with a 29-19 record in 58 games and have managed a 17-11 record on the road.
“starting off the month right 💪”
Looking Ahead: What This Means for Both Teams
Dončić’s impact on the Lakers is significant as they aim to improve their playoff positioning in a competitive Western Conference. Brunson’s steady leadership and improving production continue to elevate the Knicks, who are focused on maintaining momentum and securing a favorable seed in the East. As the season progresses, the ongoing rivalry and the evolving careers of these former Mavericks teammates will remain a key storyline for NBA fans and analysts alike.
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
Luka Doncic now has the most 30/5/5 games in a single season in Lakers history. pic.twitter.com/IqdZCcWKDu
— Real App (@realapp) February 2, 2026
It has been one year since the trade that broke the internet 😳
Luka Doncic is a Laker. Anthony Davis is a Maverick 😦 pic.twitter.com/9n6nqbLfPa
— ESPN (@espn) February 2, 2026
Former teammates.
2026 NBA All-Star starters.Luka Dončić & Jalen Brunson share this funny moment on Sunday Night Basketball on NBC & Peacock 🤣 pic.twitter.com/ix0ZPKHG2h
— NBA (@NBA) February 2, 2026
starting off the month right 💪
🎟️👉 https://t.co/907ozLoyE1 pic.twitter.com/tlVeP2zewk
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 2, 2026
