The story still was about Lakers superstar Luka Doncic and Dallas star Anthony Davis, who were part of one of the NBA’s most infamous trades. They will forever be linked after the Mavericks shocked the basketball universe last February by shipping generational talent Doncic to the Lakers in exchange for multi-talented Davis.

On Friday night, however, Doncic shared the spotlight with Austin Reaves, who continues to be a shining star for the Lakers.

They combined for 73 points during the Lakers’ 129-119 win over the Mavericks, but it was Reaves holding down the leading scorer spot over backcourt running mate Doncic.

Reaves was efficient with his work in scoring 38 points, going 12-for-15 from the field and six-for-eight from three-point range to go with eight rebounds.

The fans even chanted “M-V-P … M-V-P … M-V-P” when Reaves shot two free throws midway through the fourth quarter, a sign of how dominant he was during the game against the Mavericks.

Doncic also was efficient in dropping 35 points on his old Mavericks teammates, going 10-for-17 from the field, four-for-nine from three-point range and making all 11 of his free throws.

Doncic also had 11 assists and five rebounds to help the Lakers push their winning streak to six.

The Lakers are 4-0 in NBA Cup Group B play and will host the San Antonio Spurs in the quarterfinals on Dec 10.

Davis, who returned to play after missing the previous 14 games with a left calf strain, scored 12 points, grabbed five rebounds and handed out five assists in playing his first game in Los Angeles since the trade took place.

Deandre Ayton, who missed the Lakers' game against the Clippers on Tuesday with right knee contusion, had 17 points and eight rebounds.

Dallas rookie Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, had 13 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds.

The Lakers didn’t use their special NBA Cup court during their group stage game against the Mavericks after the team flagged concerns that it was too slippery.

After the Lakers debuted the special yellow court on Tuesday in a win over the Clippers, Doncic said during his postgame news conference that the floor was dangerously slippery. The team reported the problem to the league, and technicians from the court vendor determined the surface was unplayable for the group stage finale, according to a team spokesperson.

The court could be repaired and available in time for the NBA Cup quarterfinals.

The colorful NBA Cup courts were designed to help set the in-season tournament games apart from other regular-season matchups. The Lakers played their first two NBA Cup games on the road — in Memphis and New Orleans. Doncic did not remember having a problem with courts in those games, but it became immediately clear during pregame warm-ups on Tuesday that the Lakers’ bright yellow NBA Cup court presented issues.

“It just felt weird. Just like oily, slippery,” forward Rui Hachimura said Friday morning. “Everybody was on the floor, literally."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.