The Los Angeles Clippers capitalized on the absence of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving to secure a dominant 118-95 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night. Norman Powell led the Clippers with 29 points, James Harden added 24, going 10-for-10 from the free-throw line, and Ivica Zubac contributed with 21 points and 15 rebounds.
This matchup marked Dallas’ first game of the season without their star guards who were sidelined with injuries—Doncic due to a left heel contusion and Irving with right shoulder soreness. Despite a competitive first half, which ended with the Clippers holding just a slim 50-49 lead, Los Angeles pulled away during the third quarter, outscoring the Mavericks 39-28.
The Clippers shot impressively, hitting 69.6% of their shots during the period, including Zubac kick-starting a decisive 12-1 run after Dallas had trimmed the deficit to five points. Conversely, the Mavericks struggled offensively, shooting just 40% from the field during the third quarter and finishing with season lows, shooting 23.3% (7-of-30) from three-point range for the game.
Klay Thompson stepped up with what would become the first of many challenges this season. He led the Mavericks with 22 points during this game, but his efforts were not enough. Spencer Dinwiddie, starting for the first time this season, contributed 19 points. Unfortunately, Dallas struggled significantly without their top two scorers, as this marked their most lopsided loss of the season. The unfortunate absence of 52.8 points per game left by Doncic and Irving was glaringly evident.
Thompson commented on the challenges the Mavericks faced, stating, “It’s tough playing without those guys, especially when they contribute so deeply like they do.” They really couldn't find their rhythm offensively, struggling as both Doncic and Irving missed their third game of the season.
Interestingly, this game was not just about the debuts on the court. Clippers guard Kris Dunn was ejected for committing a flagrant two foul against Jazian Gortman late during the third period, contributing to the tensions seen throughout the game. The teams are set to face off again on Saturday, which will give the Mavericks another shot at redemption.
The Clippers led with depth, scoring 33 points off the bench compared to the Mavericks’ 16. Harden's performance, especially from the free-throw line, proved to be pivotal, showcasing the team’s proficiency at capitalizing on opportunities.
After the game, Mavericks head coach expressed concern about the need for adjustments moving forward. Reflecting on the shortcomings, he emphasized, “We need to find new ways to score and adjust our game plan.”
The Mavericks are now facing challenges within the Western Conference standings. They presently hold the fourth spot with record of 17-10, striving to maintain their position as they adapt to life without Doncic and Irving. It remains to be seen how they will respond when they meet the Clippers again this Saturday.
The next challenge for Dallas will be to rebuild and recover against the Clippers, who seem to have found their stride with last night’s win. The Clippers, currently riding high from this decisive victory, are eager to continue their winning ways.
