Luka Doncic’s Triumphant Return to the Court
After an absence that had fans and teammates anxiously waiting, Luka Doncic finally made his return to the hardwood. The Slovenian superstar’s comeback came at a crucial time, with Austin Reaves having been putting up impressive numbers (51, 41, 28 points in recent games) and even urging his teammates on social media to step up their game.
Dominant Performance Against the Grizzlies
Doncic didn’t disappoint in his return game. The Mavericks guard delivered an explosive 44-point, 12-rebound performance, shooting 14-of-27 from the field to lead his team to a hard-fought 117-112 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. While the stat line was impressive, it was a particular moment in the second quarter that truly captured everyone’s attention.
The Ankle-Breaking Moment That Went Viral
With just under four minutes remaining in the second quarter, Memphis had mounted a 16-4 run to take control of the game and impose their style of play. Dallas desperately needed something to shift the momentum.
What happened next appeared routine at first glance: Doncic dribbled the ball, executed a hesitation move, came to an abrupt stop, and launched a three-pointer that ultimately missed. However, the aftermath told a different story entirely.
Grizzlies defender Vince Williams, who was tasked with guarding Doncic, found himself in an embarrassing situation. Reacting too aggressively to Doncic’s fake, Williams fell to one knee, causing his left sneaker—which wasn’t tightly secured—to fly off his foot. The defender then lost his balance completely, tripping over his own falling shoe.
The Comedy Continues
The most amusing part? The play didn’t stop there. The Grizzlies recovered the ball and immediately launched a fast break opportunity. Williams, now playing with only one shoe, actually joined the transition offense and continued playing.
It took approximately 20 seconds of game time before officials finally stopped play, allowing Williams to be substituted out and properly put his shoe back on. For a moment, it seemed like he might have to play the remainder of the game with just one sneaker.
History Between Doncic and Williams
This incident adds another chapter to the growing rivalry between Doncic and Williams. Back in 2023, the two players engaged in some heated trash talk during a game. Doncic later commented that Williams “talked too much,” and the Slovenian even expressed his desire to play one-on-one against the defender—a request that earned him a technical foul.
While Doncic didn’t get his wish for a formal one-on-one matchup, he certainly got a measure of revenge by literally “un-shoeing” his opponent with his dribble moves.
Aftermath and Team Implications
The Lakers’ 117-112 victory over the Grizzlies (referred to as “the bears” in the original Russian text) left Memphis star Ja Morant visibly frustrated. Reports suggest Morant was so disappointed with the loss that he either considered demanding another coaching change or even contemplated leaving Memphis altogether.
Doncic’s return not only provided an immediate boost to his team but also delivered one of the most memorable moments of the NBA season—proving that even when his shots aren’t falling, he can still leave opponents literally losing their footwear.
