We all know what tonight was about. The focus was solely on the return of Dennis Smith Jr. after missing six games due to a combination of an injury, illness, and trade rumors.

Dennis returned to the lineup and played one of his best games of the season, finishing with 17 points, eight rebounds, and four assists in 36 minutes in a Mavericks 106-98 victory over the Clippers.

“I thought it was great, just really tremendous. Everything we needed; speed, attacking, shot making, a couple of amazing assists. Just beautiful basketball,” Carlisle said of Dennis’ first performance back.

DJ RUNS THE FLOOR!!! pic.twitter.com/IsVlTNC1ck

— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) January 23, 2019

“Really happy for him. Been tough for him being away from his teammates and he really played one of his best games since he’s been here,” Carlisle added on DSJ’s night.

Dennis returned to the starting lineup alongside Luka, yet Coach Carlisle made some adjustments to the rotations of the two young guards. Throughout the night, Carlisle staggered Dennis and Luka more than usual, making sure that at least one of the guards was on the floor at all times for most of the game, which shows as Dennis played his second most minutes all season and makes sense with J.J. Barea being out for the season.

“It’s a feel thing and you kind of got to look to see how the game is going” Carlisle said on his rotations. “That’s a situation that’s going to be a gut-feel thing but in terms of the end result, it worked out.”

During introductions, the AAC crowd may have given Dennis the largest ovation that he’s received all season, which shows there’s no hard feelings amongst the Mavs fans in regard to Dennis’ recent sabbatical.

“I think it’s pretty cool. I appreciate the fans so much, they do a great job for us and I think it’s reflective of our home record,” Dennis said on the reception from the crowd. “For them to be receptive of me like that, I appreciate it a ton.”

You can only imagine how trade rumors and being away from his team can effect the emotions of a 21-year-old player but Dennis seemed to in good spirits and all about business tonight. “It was tough, you know, it was tough but things happen and we got a win tonight and that’s the important thing,”

Dennis didn’t elaborate much on the situation but he did comment that while away from the team, he watched the games to see where he could fit in on both ends of the floor.

“I think it’s beneficial for both of us,” Dennis said on Coach staggering his and Luka’s minutes. “It helps both of us out, playing together, coming at everybody with a one-two punch and then we can go out and be solo; I think it’s effective.”

His running mate, Luka Doncic, had a telling statement after the game about Dennis being back with the team. “Oh yeah, I don’t like it at all. It shouldn’t happen. It’s bad for the team, bad for the player, bad for everybody so I’m glad it’s over.”

It definitely sounds like Luka is glad to have Dennis back with the team, as is the rest of the Mavericks and the fans. Let’s hope that weird situation can be put in the past for the rest of the season and focus on if these two can make it work on the floor as a tandem.

Dallas has a few days off before the Detroit Pistons visit the AAC on Friday.