The Dallas Mavericks continued their four-game homestand with the second game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night. The Mavericks’ goal was to snap a five-game losing skid, while the Lakers’ goal was to avoid a two-game losing skid. The Mavericks defeated the Lakers 118-97 at the American Airlines Center. Dallas improved to 21-16 and snapped a five-game losing skid, while Los Angeles fell to 20-16 and lost their second straight game.
Quentin Grimes led with 23 points, nine rebounds, and six assists. PJ Washington followed up with 22 points and eight rebounds. Spencer Dinwiddie added 19 points, six rebounds, and eight assists. Jaden Hardy had 15 points, two rebounds, and two assists. Klay Thompson scored 13 points and two assists. Naji Marshall recorded seven points, five rebounds, and two assists. Dereck Lively II tallied seven points, six rebounds, and three assists.
Dallas Mavericks-Los Angeles Lakers Recap
The Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers game was action-packed from start to finish. The Mavericks ruled out Luka Doncic with a left calf strain, Kyrie Irving with a lumbar back sprain, Daniel Gafford with a left ankle sprain, and Dante Exum with a right wrist injury. The Lakers ruled out Jarred Vanderbilt with a left knee effusion, Christian Wood with left knee surgery, and Jalen Hood-Schifino with a left hamstring strain.
The Mavericks’ starting lineup featured Klay Thompson, Naji Marshall, Spencer Dinwiddie, PJ Washington, and Dereck Lively II. Washington could, and should, help Thompson lead the Mavericks’ offense amid all of the injury concerns. Washington’s impact would be crucial, as he has proved to the public he’s a two-way player who will occasionally have a huge game.
The first quarter saw a fast start on both sides of the court. Spencer Dinwiddie hit an early three-pointer to get the offense going, while Lakers star LeBron James switched hands mid-air and dunked the ball on Dereck Lively II. The Lakers took a 27-24 lead at the end of the first. The second quarter saw Dallas start fast. Quentin Grimes hit a three-pointer to break an early tie. The Mavericks took a 55-50 lead at the halftime break.
The third quarter saw an increase in the Mavericks’ momentum. PJ Washington wowed the home crowd with an open three-point shot in the opening minutes. Jaden Hardy followed up with three straight three-pointers. The Mavericks led 89-76 through three quarters. The fourth quarter saw Washington, Hardy, and the Mavericks continue to make it rain with three-pointers. The Mavericks cruised to a 118-97 win in regulation.
Dallas Mavericks-Los Angeles Lakers Highlights
The Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers game featured multiple highlights, such as ESPN’s recent reporting of the Mavericks star Kyrie Irving having a bulging disk in his back. Irving is expected to miss at least one to two weeks, sources told ESPN. There is optimism regarding Irving’s treatment and the team will provide a return-to-play target date, sources added.
For the Mavericks, Sports Illustrated reported the Mavericks could move a trade candidate. The Mavericks could move Quentin Grimes, even though Power Forward Maxi Kleber would make more sense. Grimes has been a key reserve, but he’s likely due a raise this summer as a restricted free agent. The Mavericks’ goal should be to create more roster flexibility this coming year, so an addition-by-subtraction type of move would make sense.
For the Lakers, Bleacher Report reported an eight-player trade. If this trade occurs, Los Angeles will receive Collin Sexton, Walker Kessler, and Patty Mills. Utah would receive Gabe Vincent, Christian Wood, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Cam Reddish, Jaxson Hayes, a top-four protection removal on the Lakers’ 2027 first-round pick, a 2029 first-round pick, a 2031 first-round pick, a $7.4 million trade exception, and a $2.1 million trade exception.
Final Thoughts
The Dallas Mavericks’ Jaden Hardy hoped for an impressive outing against the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night. Hardy previously recorded 17 points on 6-of-11 shots against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night. Hardy also recorded three rebounds and three assists with just one turnover in 25 minutes and was 2-of-4 on three-pointers. Hardy’s previous record was his second-best scoring game of the 2024-25 NBA season.
The Mavericks will continue their four-game homestand with the third game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the American Airlines Center on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Central. The Mavericks will likely benefit from a much-needed day off. The Trail Blazers take on the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on Wednesday night before traveling to Dallas, Texas, from New Orleans, Louisiana.
