P.J. Washington had his best game since joining the Mavericks from Charlotte, scoring 32 points. Meanwhile, Luka Dončić sat out due to a sore knee. Washington’s layup with 4.5 seconds left sealed the Mavericks’ 108-106 win over the Warriors, ending Golden State’s six-game winning streak.
Kyrie Irving, praising Washington’s performance, said, “He was spectacular.” The win solidified Dallas’s fifth place in the Western Conference, staying two games ahead of seventh place as they chase a playoff spot.
Despite Stephen Curry’s 28 points, including a game-tying shot with 13 seconds left, the Warriors missed a chance to secure a postseason berth. Houston’s loss to Miami opened the door for Golden State to secure at least the 10th spot in the West, but they fell short.
The game was rescheduled after Golden State’s two postponed games following the death of assistant coach Dejan Milojevic in January. In their previous matchup, the Warriors had stopped the Mavericks’ seven-game winning streak with a 104-100 victory.
Andrew Wiggins and Jonathan Kuminga were sidelined for the Warriors due to ankle and knee issues, respectively. Despite trailing by 10 in the fourth quarter, Golden State rallied, showing an impressive effort according to coach Steve Kerr.
Doncic was ruled out with knee soreness, leaving Irving to play over 42 minutes, contributing eight rebounds and seven assists. Dallas managed to win their 13th game out of 15, with Irving proving pivotal in Doncic’s absence.
The Mavericks held a 16-point lead in the first quarter, but the Warriors fought back, with Curry bringing them within one point with a long-range 3-pointer. A crucial play saw Irving double-teamed, passing to Tim Hardaway Jr., who then set up Washington for the decisive basket.
Despite Klay Thompson’s 16 points, his potential game-winning shot fell short at the buzzer, securing the Mavericks’ victory.