The Dallas Mavericks climbed back to their winning ways on Saturday night, defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 113-97 at home. This win not only showcased the depth and resilience of the Mavericks but also brought their record to 18-10, overtaking the Clippers, who fell to 16-13.
Quentin Grimes emerged as the standout performer for the Mavericks, scoring 20 points, with 14 of those coming during a pivotal fourth quarter. The Mavericks particularly needed this performance as they continued to navigate clashes without their star player, Luka Doncic, who sat out due to a left heel contusion.
According to the Associated Press, Doncic ranks fifth in the NBA with 28.9 points per game and had consistently been pivotal for the Mavericks before his second consecutive game on the sidelines. With Doncic absent, it was key for other players to step up, and they did just so during the match against the Clippers.
Kyrie Irving, who returned to the lineup after missing one game because of shoulder soreness, scored 15 points, balancing out the absence of Doncic. Despite struggling with his shooting early on, ending the night with only one field goal attempt made out of ten, he found his rhythm later on and contributed significantly to the team’s overall performance.
The Mavericks showcased remarkable team performance, with eight players scoring double figures. Aside from Grimes and Irving, who both rallied their team late, Klay Thompson added 16 points to the total. Spencer Dinwiddie also made his mark, scoring 15 points and adding defensive pressure.
On the opposing side, Norman Powell shone for the Clippers, leading all scorers with 28 points. Teammate James Harden and Kevin Porter Jr. each chipped in with 19 points, but the Clippers couldn’t muster enough firepower to match the Mavericks with such key players sidelined.
Statistically, Dallas dominated certain aspects of the game, outscoring the Clippers significantly during the second quarter by 31-18. By halftime, the Mavericks enjoyed a solid 54-40 lead, having outshot the Clippers 47.8% to 22.2%. This evident shooting disparity set the tone for the remainder of the game.
One significant factor contributing to the Mavericks' win was their bench scoring, which eclipsed the Clippers' reserves 46-24, led by Grimes' explosive performance off the bench. The aggressive defense displayed by the Mavericks also could not be overlooked—recording 12 steals against the Clippers supports their effort on the defensive end of the court. Klay Thompson and Spencer Dinwiddie were particularly impactful, with Thompson registering four steals of his own.
Despite the absence of Doncic, the Mavericks proved their ability to adapt, with strong contributions from players like Dereck Lively II, who also scored 11 points and secured 11 rebounds—claiming his 19th double-double. This collective effort on court fed the Mavericks' victory over the Clippers and put Dallas firmly back on track.
The Clippers now will finish their three-game road trip against the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night, attempting to recover from this defeat. Meanwhile, the Mavericks will look to extend their streak as they host the Portland Trail Blazers for their upcoming game.
