Luka Doncic rubs it in Hawks fans’ faces that he’s their one that got away

Luka Doncic's 32-point, 8-rebound, 10-assist performance propelled the Los Angeles Lakers to a 124-114 triumph over the Atlanta Hawks on Monday, propelling the Lakers to a 10-2 season record, their highest mark to date. Doncic's exceptional play not only showcased his prowess but also served as a reminder of the Hawks' regrettable trade away of the star during the 2018 NBA Draft for Trae Young, who is no longer with the franchise.

In an apparent gesture of disdain towards the Hawks fanbase, Doncic remarked, "You all wish you would have had me. You all wish, huh?" upon the court. The trade-off proved to be a costly mistake, as the Hawks, relying on Trae Young for their franchise-building, reached the Conference Finals in 2021 before stalling. Conversely, Doncic's ascent has been meteoric; the Mavericks reached the Western Conference Finals in 2022 and even claimed the NBA Championship in 2024, while Young's performance has declined, marred by injuries.