Luka Doncic’s return to Dallas started off with tears.

It ended with a lot of smiles.

Doncic scored a game-high 45 points with eight rebounds and six assists in the Lakers’ 112-97 win over the Mavericks on Wednesday night.

Luka Doncic, who scored 45 points, reacts after missing a shot during the Lakers’ 112-97 win over the Mavericks. Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Not only did the Lakers win, they guaranteed themselves a top-six spot in the Western Conference playoffs, meaning they will automatically avoid the the play-in round.

Luka Doncic gets a hug from LeBron James late in the second half of the Lakers’ win over Mavericks. AP

The 45 points for Doncic match a season-high that he set on Dec. 15, his third-to-last game played in a Mavericks uniform.

It marked the first game of 40 or more points while with Los Angeles.