Just hours after the trade that sent star Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Dallas Mavericks had a game to play. It did not take long for Mavericks announcer Mark Followill to address the elephant in the room.
As he signed on for the beginning of Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Followill quickly made it known that he was as stunned as everyone else.
“I’m sorry if I look a little haggard today,” he said. “Like a lot of you, I didn’t sleep very well last night. We’re stunned, we’re shocked, we’re going through it. You all know what I’m talking about. The end of one era, the beginning of another. The news came down last night in reports, officially this morning at 10:05 Eastern, 9:05 Central Time. Luka Dončić traded to the Los Angeles Lakers Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a first-round pick in the future.”
Longtime Mavericks play-by-play announcer @MFollowill did not mince words as he signed on for today’s broadcast. pic.twitter.com/ai1bUX0Xl7
— J.E. Skeets (@jeskeets) February 2, 2025
These comments were similar to ones he made earlier in the day on X (formerly Twitter) in response to a confused fan.
“There was nothing to say until it’s official…which it was as of 9:05a CST,” he said. “But I’m as stunned and shocked as everyone else and I’m very empathetic to all of the emotions people are feeling right now. I appreciate everyone who has reached out and an MFFL hug to all of you.”
There was nothing to say until it’s official…which it was as of 9:05a CST.
But I’m as stunned and shocked as everyone else and I’m very empathetic to all of the emotions people are feeling right now. I appreciate everyone who has reached out and an MFFL hug to all of you. https://t.co/1qphnUHuxy
— Mark Followill (@MFollowill) February 2, 2025
The quick approach is a good way to handle it. There’s no sense in waiting to address the biggest news that everyone had known about for hours.
Judging by what happened in the game, the Maverick players might have been going through similar issues to the ones Followill experienced. The game quickly got out of hand, with the Cavaliers taking a 50-19 lead after the first quarter en route to a 144-101 win.
