The NBA returns to action on Wednesday night with just one game on the slate. But it’s a big one, because it means the Los Angeles Lakers will be taking the court for the first time in a week and all eyes will be on their prize acquisition Luka Dončić and his tender left calf

In a perfect world, Dallas continues to play sound, aggressive basketball and finishes as the No. 5 seed in the West. And the Lakers finish at No. 4. And

That includes Oklahoma City Thunder star Jalen Williams, who faced off against Doncic and the Mavericks in the 2024 Western Conference Semifinals. Williams was as surprised as everyone else, noting that he was woken up out of his slumber when everything broke publicly.