On January 9, 2025, the Dallas Mavericks delivered a thrilling comeback to secure a 117-111 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers at the American Airlines Center. This win marked the Mavericks' second consecutive victory, helping them bounce back from what had been a challenging five-game losing streak.
The Mavericks showcased resilience, fueled by standout performances from Jaden Hardy, P.J. Washington, and Dereck Lively II. Hardy, stepping up off the bench, led the team with a season-high 25 points. Washington contributed significantly as well, scoring 23 points and grabbing 14 rebounds, reinforcing his role as a key player during this matchup. Lively II notched impressive numbers of his own, posting 21 points and securing 16 rebounds, marking his season highs.
Despite the absence of their All-Star guards, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, who were sidelined due to injury, the Mavericks employed solid teamwork to close out the game. They faced adversity late, trailing 109-99 with just over four minutes remaining. This is where the magic happened—a stunning 16-0 run turned the game around dramatically for Dallas.
Washington was pivotal during this decisive stretch, first hitting two free throws to tie the game at 109-109 with just over two minutes left. He then followed with a right-corner three-pointer, pushing the Mavericks to lead 112-109 with only 1:58 left on the clock.
The Trail Blazers, who had led for much of the game, experienced difficulty scoring during the final moments. Despite having players like Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe, who each scored 22 points, they missed several key opportunities. Scoot Henderson added 20 points off the bench, though his efforts weren’t enough to maintain their lead.
Portland appeared to have the game under control momentarily, maintaining a lead until their shooting faltered when it counted. Lead moments saw them miss six consecutive field-goal attempts and commit decisive turnovers as timing slipped away.
Blazers coach Chauncey Billups acknowledged his team’s late-game struggles, pointing out how the lack of execution contributed to their downfall. They had shot well from beyond the arc throughout the game but could not replicate their success during the fourth quarter, hitting only 3 of 9 attempts.
On the flip side, the Mavericks excelled where it mattered most—dominance inside the paint, outscoring the Blazers 58-38. This advantage was especially evident since Dallas was missing some of its sharpest outside shooters.
The Mavericks fastened their grip on the game with multiple clutch plays. Following Washington’s three, Quentin Grimes, who finished the game with pivotal contributions, gave Dallas even more breathing room by tipping back Spencer Dinwiddie’s missed shot, extending the lead to 115-109 with just 31.8 seconds remaining.
This victory came after the Mavericks had found their footing with notable wins, including one over the Los Angeles Lakers just days before. After potentially faltering at the start of 2025, the Mavericks are beginning to look more cohesive on the court.
Looking forward, the Trail Blazers will host the Miami Heat, hoping to reverse their recent fortunes. Meanwhile, the Mavericks will prepare for back-to-back home games, starting with the Denver Nuggets. With the team's recent surge, they seem poised to capitalize on their momentum moving forward, especially if they can carry this high-energy performance through these upcoming challenges.
Dallas needs to maintain their defensive focus and improve their offensive consistency, particularly as players like Hardy and Washington step up. The positive shift in energy is encouraging for Mavericks fans, who hope to see more of this newfound determination as the rest of the season progresses.