The Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers met again on Saturday night. The Mavericks defeated the Clippers 113-97 in a home game at the American Airlines Center. Dallas improved to 18-10 while Los Angeles fell to 16-13. Quentin Grimes led the Mavericks with 20 points, seven rebounds, and one assist. Also, Grimes was 7-of-8 from the field. Kyrie Irving followed up with 15 points, three rebounds, and six assists.
Spencer Dinwiddie added 15 points, three rebounds, and six assists. Daniel Gafford had 13 points, six rebounds, and two assists. Naji Marshall scored 12 points, three rebounds, and two assists. Dereck Lively II tallied 11 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists. PJ Washington recorded 10 points, seven rebounds, and one assist. Maxi Kleber accumulated one point, two rebounds, and one assist.
Dallas Mavericks-Los Angeles Clippers Recap
The Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers game was action-packed from beginning to end. The Mavericks’ injury report listed Luka Doncic, Dante Exum, Jaden Hardy, and Brandon Williams, while the Clippers’ injury report listed Kawhi Leonard, Terance Mann, Kobe Brown, Cam Christie, Trentyn Flowers, and PJ Tucker.
The Mavericks’ starting lineup consisted of Spencer Dinwiddie, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, PJ Washington Jr., and Dereck Lively II. Saturday night’s lineup wasn’t ideal, as Doncic remained sidelined with a left heel contusion, but Irving returned to the lineup. Irving’s return should lessen the load on Dinwiddie, who has been thriving in virtually every role Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd has thrown his way.
The first quarter was in favor of the Mavericks. Lively II’s shot went in the basket to give the Mavericks an early lead. LA’s scoring surge on plays, such as James Harden’s bucket through Mavericks defenders, kept the game close. The Mavericks merely led 23-22 at the end of the first. The Mavericks picked up the pace in the second quarter on plays, such as Spencer Dinwiddie’s three-pointer, and took a 54-40 lead at halftime.
The third quarter saw a glimpse of Daniel Gafford leading the Mavericks’ bench attack, along with Lively II connecting with Irving on an outside shot. The Mavericks led 74-66 through three quarters. The fourth quarter saw back-to-back three-pointers from Quentin Grimes. The Mavericks won 113-97 in regulation.
Dallas Mavericks-Los Angeles Clippers Highlights
The Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers game featured multiple highlights, such as the Mavericks’ recent naming of their new CEO, Rick Welts, effective January 1, 2025. Weltz will succeed Cynt Marshall, who served as the Mavericks CEO for nearly seven years and use his 46 years of related experience. Welts began his NBA career in 1969 as a ball boy for the Seattle SuperSonics (now the Oklahoma City Thunder) and worked his way up.
The Mavericks’ recently spread holiday cheer to the local community worked wonders. The Mavericks hosted their annual Cookies with Santa event, in partnership with Target, to make the holiday season extra special for children at Vogel Alcove, a nonprofit to help children overcome the effects of homelessness, by helping children with holiday crafts, cookie decorating, writing letters to Santa, etc.
Clippers Forward Kawhi Leonard is reportedly set to energize the Clippers’ lineup with a return by Christmas or New Year’s. Leonard’s return would help the Clippers achieve their playoff aspirations, as Leonard could help boost the team’s overall energy level and defensive prowess. Clippers Head Coach Tyronn Lue was reported to be optimistic about Leonard’s upcoming return.
Final Thoughts
The short-handed Dallas Mavericks ran out of gas and fell to the Los Angeles Clippers 118-95 at the American Airlines Center on Thursday night. Both Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving were out for the Mavericks. Doncic and Irving’s absences accounted for 52.8 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 13.5 assists missing from the Mavericks’ lineup. The Clippers opened up a 16-point lead late in the third quarter and blew it open down the stretch for a win.
NBA players come and go. Derrick Jones Jr. returned to Dallas for the first time after signing a three-year, $30 million contract with the Clippers in 2024 NBA free agency. However, Jones Jr.’s return was rather unpleasant, as Jones Jr. will be sidelined with a right hamstring strain until at least Christmas. On a positive note, Jones Jr. supplied the Clippers with some instant credibility on the defensive end.
Speaking of Derrick Jones Jr., Dallas played a video tribute at the 6:48 mark of the first quarter to honor the former forward who played for the Mavericks in the 2023-24 NBA season. Jones Jr. was a significant part of the Mavericks’ success last season, as he helped the Mavericks become a bit more athletic with his ability to guard one through five, shoot the three-well, etc.
The Mavericks will continue the four-game homestand with the third home game against the Portland Trail Blazers in the American Airlines Center on Monday. The Trail Blazers previously played a road game against the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center on Saturday.
