Dwight Powell Reflects on Luka Dončić, Their Mavs Bond, And Why No. 77 Belongs in Dallas Rafters

Dwight Powell reflects on his bond with Luka Dončić ahead of their first matchup in Dallas (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Before the Mavericks host the Lakers, Dwight Powell opens up about his bond with Luka Dončić, their previous pick-and-roll connection, and why No. 77 should hang in the rafters in Dallas.

When Luka Dončić steps on the court at the American Airlines Center on Wednesday, it will be the first time he does so as an opponent.

For Dwight Powell, who shared the court with Dončić in 389 games — more than any other player — the reunion carries weight. No teammate has played more NBA games alongside Dončić than Powell. The two also faced each other internationally, most recently at the 2023 FIBA World Cup in Manila, where Powell’s Canadian team defeated Dončić’s Slovenian squad.

“We spent a lot of years together and shared a lot of great memories,” Powell told RG. “We had great times on the court, obviously, and great times off the court as well — even competing in the summers, the national team and whatnot, and being able to come back the following preseason and have that bragging rights, whichever way it went.”

The trade has certainly not impacted their off-court friendship, as Powell continues to cherish the memories he gained from competing with Dončić. This era in Mavericks history resulted in an NBA Finals appearance and two playoff runs that reached the Western Conference Finals.

Pick-and-Roll Chemistry Built to Last

Dončić and Powell were a reliable pairing in the pick-and-roll during their six-plus seasons as teammates. The tandem commonly produced elite efficiency with Dončić making the most of Powell’s skill set as a lob threat and interior finisher. Whether Powell was setting a Gortat screen to seal off a defender in the paint or making himself available for a lob or drop-off pass, he credited Dončić’s ability to elevate everyone around him.

“He’s a very special player, I think that goes without saying,” Powell said.

“He did an amazing job of creating opportunities for everybody around him, and I was fortunate enough to be one of those targets. So, we learned very quickly how to play together, but it’s fairly easy to play with a guy like that.”

Their on-court chemistry developed quickly. Powell said it didn’t take long for him to understand how to complement Dončić’s playmaking and adjust to the attention opponents gave him. Whether teams would blitz, switch, or show-and-recover, it was always a chess match that Powell appreciated as a complementary talent alongside Dončić.

“Some quick convos early on and understanding he’s a very special player and getting space to operate and understand teams are gonna do some creative strategies to try and throw him off his game, but just to make yourself available and let him be great,” Powell told RG. “So there was a lot of fun playing with him for sure.”

From Teammates to Opponents — But Still Brothers

Dončić was traded to the Lakers on Feb. 2 in a deal that sent Anthony Davis and Max Christie to Dallas. Powell said both new additions have made a strong impression.

The former teammates met once already — in Los Angeles on Feb. 25 — where Dončić recorded a triple-double in a Lakers win. But Wednesday’s game marks the first time Dončić will play in Dallas as a visitor, in front of a fanbase that watched him grow into one of the league’s brightest stars.

When a notable player switches teams, the natural progression eventually shifts to a possible jersey retirement. Asked if he believes Dončić’s No. 77 jersey should be retired in Dallas someday, Powell gave a short but clear response.

“I mean, yeah,” Powell told RG. “That’s not obviously my decision, but yeah.”

Tipoff between the Mavericks and Lakers is set for Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Eastern — a night sure to stir emotions for Dončić, Powell, and the crowd that watched their journey unfold.