Resilient Mavericks
In the third game of their five-game road trip, the Dallas Mavericks faced off against the Sacramento Kings once again. Despite trailing the Kings by as many as 15 points in the first three quarters, the Mavericks rallied in the fourth quarter behind the stellar performances of their dynamic duo, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, who combined for 56 points. Dante Exum’s game-winning three-pointer sealed the comeback victory as the Mavericks triumphed 107-103, extending their winning streak to six games.
Kings’ Early Dominance
The Kings came out strong in the first quarter, led by Harrison Barnes and Keon Ellis, scoring 34 points. They maintained their momentum in the second quarter, building a lead that reached 15 points at one stage. At halftime, the Kings held a 9-point advantage over the Mavericks.
Mavericks’ Resurgence
Despite the Kings’ early lead, the Mavericks showed resilience, matching them in scoring during the third quarter despite shooting struggles and benefiting from free throw opportunities. As the game entered the fourth quarter, the Mavericks launched their comeback, with Kyrie Irving leading the charge by going 4-for-4 from the field, including two three-pointers, and converting 5 of his 6 free throw attempts. They gradually narrowed the deficit, eventually tying the game and seizing the lead. With 30 seconds left in the game, Dante Exum’s three-pointer put the Mavericks ahead for good, securing the comeback victory.
Outstanding Performances
Kyrie Irving led all scorers with 30 points, while Luka Doncic recorded a near triple-double with 26 points, 9 rebounds, and 12 assists. Dereck Lively II contributed 12 points and 9 rebounds for the Mavericks.
Balanced Effort from the Kings
The Kings had all five starters scoring in double figures, with De’Aaron Fox leading the team with 23 points, followed by Harrison Barnes with 20 points. Keon Ellis added 16 points, Domantas Sabonis recorded a triple-double with 13 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists, marking his 26th triple-double of the season, and Keegan Murray chipped in 12 points.
Current Standings
With the win, the Mavericks improved their record to 44-29, securing the 6th seed in the Western Conference standings. Meanwhile, the Kings remain in 8th place in the Western Conference. (BK8F)
