Luka Doncic delivered a commanding performance at the State Farm Arena, recording 32 points, 10 assists, and 8 rebounds to lead his Los Angeles Lakers to victory.
The 2018 Draft Context
The tension stems from the June 2018 draft, where the Atlanta Hawks originally selected Doncic with the third overall pick. The team immediately traded him to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for the fifth overall pick, which they used to acquire Trae Young, along with a future draft pick that became Cam Reddish.
While both players have since moved to new organizations—Doncic joined the Lakers in a February 2025 trade, and Young was sent to Washington earlier this year—Doncic remains focused on what he characterizes as an sgarro
(slight) by the Hawks organization.
Courtside Confrontations
During a stoppage in play, Doncic initiated a verbal back-and-forth with spectators seated in the front row. He taunted the group by asking, Avreste voluto tutti avermi in squadra, vero?
(You all would have wanted to have me on the team, right?).
The interaction drew varied responses from the home crowd; some fans retorted, Ti avevamo
(We had you) and No, non ti volevamo: io non ti ho mai voluto in squadra
(No, we didn’t want you: I never wanted you on the team).
Luka Doncic was trash-talking with Atlanta Hawks fans tonight in the Lakers 124-114 victory. Here's the transcript: Luka: "You all wish you would have had me. You all wish, huh?” Fan: “We had you.” Another fan: “No we don’t, I’ve never wanted you.” Another fan: “I wish… pic.twitter.com/PM7eALuMXR”
The exchange turned when other fans in the section contradicted those claims, with one admitting, Io lo avrei voluto in squadra
(I would have wanted him on the team).
Bolstered by the admission, Doncic pressed the point, stating, Lo sapete che potevate avermi in squadra
(You know you could have had me on the team). The interaction concluded with a fan conceding, Ha ragione
(He’s right), marking another chapter in the ongoing narrative between the player and the Atlanta fan base.
