Kyrie Irving showcased his scoring prowess with 28 points, while Luka Dončić displayed his all-around brilliance with 18 points, 16 assists, and 10 rebounds as the Dallas Mavericks secured a hard-fought 113-107 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night.
Despite Doncic’s shooting struggles, hitting only 6 of 27 from the field, his triple-double performance proved instrumental in securing a crucial win for Dallas in their playoff push. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd acknowledged the grittiness of the victory, emphasizing that not all wins come easy.
With the win, the Mavericks (40-29) closed in on the sixth spot in the Western Conference, trailing the Sacramento Kings by mere percentage points for the final automatic playoff berth.
San Antonio, led by Tre Jones with 22 points and Devin Vassell with 19 points, put up a spirited fight. Despite their errors, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich commended his team’s effort in striving for improvement.
The Mavericks completed a season series sweep against the Spurs, marking their fourth consecutive victory against them.
Irving and Doncic played pivotal roles in securing the win, especially in the closing minutes of the tightly contested game.
Despite trailing by double digits in the first half, San Antonio mounted impressive comebacks in the third and fourth quarters, taking the lead at one point. However, Dallas regained control late in the game and held on for the win.
Guard Dante Exum contributed 16 points for the Mavericks, including crucial baskets down the stretch. Meanwhile, San Antonio struggled during their season-long eight-game homestand, managing just one win thus far.
Luka Dončić’s influence was felt throughout the game, despite his shooting woes, as he orchestrated plays and created opportunities for his teammates. His exceptional passing and court vision were on full display, earning praise from his teammates.
With Doncic leading the charge, the Mavericks look poised for a strong finish to the season, while San Antonio aims to bounce back from their recent setbacks.
