Lakers rally falls short as Luka Doncic leads Mavericks to a win

Last weekend in Las Vegas, the Lakers celebrated their early-season triumph.

Lakers forward Anthony Davis is sprawled out on the court reaching for a ball while guard Luka Doncic hovers over him

The Lakers’ early season comeback was sparked by the in-season tournament, which showed them they could dominate large games and had great defensive skills that gave them championship dreams.

The Lakers must return to normal basketball after the adventure ended with a banner in the rafters and cash in their bank accounts.

Thus, Tuesday’s game against the Mavericks would always have a “Now what?” element.

The Lakers lost 127-125 to the short-handed Mavericks to start a three-game run in Texas after a poor start with minimal defensive energy.

Dallas gave Luka Doncic the ball on the second night of a back-to-back sans Kyrie Irving, Derrick Jones Jr., and Josh Green. Doncic had a sidekick in Tim Hardaway Jr. who would take those shots.

Doncic had 33 points and an unbelievable 17 assists, while Hardaway and Exum scored 32 and 26.

The Lakers lost with Anthony Davis scoring 37, LeBron James 30 and Austin Reaves 22.

Mavericks guard Luka Doncic shoots while Lakers forward Taurean Prince puts a hand in his face

Tuesday, Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots under Lakers forward Taurean Prince (12) pressure in Dallas. Associated Press/LM Otero

Dallas lead the Lakers by 15 and shot over 70% in the first half as Grant Williams and Dante Exum burned the nets.The former lottery choice made just eight threes this season, but Exum nailed seven, a career high. After a Reaves three rimmed around and in to make it one possession, the seventh was the backbreaker.Without Jarred Vanderbilt, who returned from a heel ιnjury three games ago, the Lakers’ defensive bite, which helped them win the In-Season Tournament, dropped.James and Davis got the Lakers back into the game in the second half, overcoming the Las Vegas hangover. Davis’ buzzer-shot triple, his first since Oct. 29, gave the Lakers a lead headed into the fourth after the two combined for 24 points. Lakers forward LeBron James speaks with Mavericks guard Luka Doncic during the team's game in Dallas Tuesday in Dallas, Lakers forward LeBron James (23) talks to Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77). Associated Press/LM OteroThe Lakers defense couldn’t stop Dallas, which shot 60% and made six threes in the fourth.Wednesday and Friday in San Antonio, the Lakers play the Spurs.