SACRAMENTO -- The Dallas Mavericks delivered a stunning performance against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night, securing a 120-106 victory that propelled them forward in the NBA Play-In Tournament. With a thrilling second quarter that saw Klay Thompson come alive, the Mavericks not only avenged last year's disappointing playoff exit but also kept their postseason hopes alive.
This time around, Thompson made sure to leave behind the ghosts of his previous performance in Sacramento, where he went scoreless in a painful loss while still with the Golden State Warriors. On this night, he scored 16 of his 23 points in the second quarter alone, helping his team outscore the Kings 44-19 in that pivotal period.
"Human nature, when you end a season on a sour note like that, you want to come out and prove people wrong," Thompson said after the game. "But I thought I did a good job to start the game of trying to dish, rebound, play defense. The shots came to me after that." His shooting was on point, finishing with an impressive 8-of-11 from the field, including 5-of-7 from beyond the arc.
Thompson's resurgence was crucial for the Mavericks, who have faced a tumultuous season marked by injuries and roster changes. The team traded away their star player Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers, which sparked a wave of criticism from fans. However, the arrival of Anthony Davis has brought new life to the Mavericks. Davis led the team with 27 points and 9 rebounds, showcasing his ability to dominate on both ends of the floor.
The Mavericks' victory secured them a spot in the final play-in game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night, April 18, 2025. The winner of that matchup will claim the eighth seed in the Western Conference playoffs and face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder, who finished the regular season with a remarkable 68-14 record.
"I'm still alive. I'm excited," Thompson exclaimed after the game. "I get to go to Memphis. It was really fun tonight because you could just be fully immersed in the experience, and we've had a tumultuous season, to say the least. The injury bug has struck us like I've never seen before, but we're still here playing postseason basketball."
The Kings, on the other hand, faced yet another disappointing end to their season, marking the 18th time in 19 seasons they have missed the playoffs. Following the game, the team and general manager Monte McNair mutually agreed to part ways, signaling a need for significant changes within the organization.
Interim coach Doug Christie expressed his desire to remain with the Kings, stating, "This is where I want to be. I need to finish what I started." Meanwhile, the Kings' season was marred by struggles, including the firing of coach Mike Brown in December and the trade of star point guard De'Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs in February.
DeMar DeRozan was a standout for the Kings, scoring 33 points, while Zach LaVine added 20. Despite their efforts, the Kings were unable to keep pace with the Mavericks, particularly in the second quarter, where Dallas hit eight three-pointers and took control of the game.
Thompson's performance was a personal triumph, as he reflected on the significance of overcoming the previous year's playoff disappointment. "It did feel good to exorcise those demons in here. Man!" he said during his post-game interview. "I wasn't going to define myself off one bad shooting night. I've had some of the greatest shooting nights in the history of the game. So even someone in my caliber can go 0-for. I try to not even think about that, but at times you do because you're human. But you just keep going out there and do what you love."
The Mavericks' success was also bolstered by contributions from their role players. P.J. Washington added 17 points and 9 rebounds, while backup point guard Brandon Williams shone with 17 points on just eight shots, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. Williams also dished out five assists without committing a turnover, proving to be an efficient spark off the bench.
As the Mavericks prepare for their crucial game against the Grizzlies, the focus will be on maintaining the momentum generated from this victory. They will need similar performances from their role players alongside Davis and Thompson if they hope to secure a playoff berth.
With the stakes high and the pressure mounting, the Mavericks are ready to embrace the challenge ahead. "We can really give the city of Dallas some hope, especially if we go to Memphis and repeat this type of performance," Thompson stated confidently.
As the dust settles on the Mavericks' latest triumph, the focus shifts to Memphis, where the battle for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference will take center stage. The excitement is palpable, and fans are eager to see if Thompson and the Mavericks can continue their quest for postseason glory.
