The Dallas Mavericks had to move ahead from a tough three-game road trip, including a heartbreaking loss to the Golden State Warriors in Klay Thompson’s return to the Bay Area, and focus on the present – the home game vs. the San Antonio Spurs at the American Airlines Center on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Central. The Mavericks-Spurs rivalry is intense with often contested games, and Saturday’s game was no exception.
The Mavericks entered the rivalry game on a four-game losing skid, while the Spurs strived to avoid two consecutive losses. The Spurs fell to the Lakers 120-115 at the AT&T Center on Friday. Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 28 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists, while Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 40 points, 12 rebounds, and two assists.
The Mavericks defeated the Spurs 110-93. Dallas improved to 6-7, while San Antonio fell to 6-8. Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks with 22 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Daniel Gafford followed up with 22 points, eight rebounds, and one assist. Luka Doncic added 16 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Jaden Hardy had 12 points, three rebounds, and one assist. Klay Thompson scored nine points.
Dallas Mavericks vs. San Antonio Spurs Recap
The Dallas Mavericks vs. San Antonio Spurs game was action-packed from start to finish. The Mavericks debuted their new City Edition jersey, and Cedric the Entertainer was in attendance. Dallas listed Luka Doncic, PJ Washington, and Naji Marshall as available. Dante Exum was out due to right wrist surgery. San Antonio’s injury report listed Tre Jones out with a right ankle sprain and Jeremy Sochan out due to fractured left thumb surgery.
The Mavericks’ starting lineup consisted of Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, Maxi Kleber, and Dereck Lively II. Lively II started in place of Daniel Gafford, who was the team’s starting center in Thursday’s away game against the Jazz at the Delta Center. Gafford headed to the locker room in the second half of Thursday’s game due to an apparent leg injury.
The Mavericks went on a 6-0 run to open the first quarter. The Spurs responded with an initiated offense, cut the Mavericks’ lead to 11-9 at the 5:31 mark, and took a 13-11 lead with 5:05 left. The Spurs led 28-23 after the first. The Spurs opened the second quarter scoring, but the Mavericks’ offensive response, including Irving’s buckets, kept the game close. The Mavericks settled for a 55-51 lead at the halftime break.
The Mavericks stole the show for the majority of the third quarter, as Irving continued to get buckets. The Mavericks took a commanding 93-69 lead after three quarters. The Mavericks reached the 100-point plateau late in the fourth quarter. The Spurs’ late scoring surge was too little, too late. The Mavericks won by a final score of 110-93 at the end of regulation.
Dallas Mavericks vs. San Antonio Spurs Highlights
The Dallas Mavericks vs. San Antonio Spurs game featured various highlights, such as Luka Doncic’s pregame three-pointer to energize the home crowd. Doncic’s three might’ve been a solid distraction, as he has been heavily criticized for his defensive lapse in Thursday’s game against the Utah Jazz. Doncic recently blamed the Mavericks’ four-game losing skid on the team’s rebounding struggles.
For the Mavericks, PJ Washington had his first rebound early in the game and Doncic quickly buried a three-pointer to help maintain the Mavericks’ lead. Washington played on a minute restriction after missing the team’s last five games due to a sprained right knee, while Doncic appeared to remain in his usual role for the team. Washington’s restriction was reportedly enforced, as Mavericks Head Coach Jason Kidd wanted him to get more games under his belt.
For the Spurs, Chris Paul buried a three-point field goal in the first quarter. Paul signed a one-year, $11 million contract with the Spurs on July 7, 2024. He achieved his 12,000th career assist on November 15, 2024, and became the third player in NBA history to achieve at least 12,000 career assists, joining John Stockton and Jason Kidd. He’s widely known for his Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets tenures.
Final Thoughts
Close games have been pure poison for the Dallas Mavericks, who were gut-punched in a tight finish against the Utah Jazz, 115-113, on Thursday. The Mavericks trailed by 14 points entering the fourth quarter and made a comeback, a 110-108 lead with 1:33 left in regulation, but the Jazz scored five points before Klay Thompson buried a three-pointer to tie the game at 113 apiece with 26.2 seconds left. Then came Jordan Clarkson’s clutch pass to John Collins. Naji Marshall’s corner three at the buzzer was off the mark.
Kyrie Irving’s absence elevated Quentin Grimes into the Mavericks’ starting lineup, but there were other absences. Mavericks Head Coach Jason Kidd also started Dereck Lively II and Maxi Kleber, who returned after missing nine games with a right hamstring strain, in place of Daniel Gafford and Naji Marshall. PJ Washington remained out with a right knee sprain.
The typical Mavericks season wouldn’t be without turbulence. The Mavericks’ lost road trip added to a four-game losing skid. The team’s total margin of defeat is eight points – a one-point loss to Phoenix, two points to Denver and Utah, and three to Golden State. The team is just 1-6 in clutch games so far, and it’s unclear which secret potion they’re missing. The team’s next opponent is the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday at 6:00 p.m. Central.
