The Dallas Mavericks returned from the All-Star Break and secured their first win with All-Stars Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic playing together.
The 142-116 victory came over the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night at the American Airlines Center.
Irving, fresh off a franchise-record-setting All-Star appearance, and Doncic were back on the floor together for a regular season game for the first time in 10 days after Irving missed the previous game with back stiffness.
Dallas took control of the game late in the first quarter and withstood a barrage of three-pointers from San Antonio point guard Devonte’ Graham early in the second quarter to take a 74-63 lead at the half as Doncic scored 21 of his 28 points.
The Mavericks shot 57.1% from the field in the first half, including 47.1% from three-point range.
San Antonio outscored Dallas in the third to cut the lead to nine, but Dallas responded with a 12-3 run — led by Irving and Tim Hardaway Jr. — to start the fourth and put the game out of reach.
Doncic led the Mavericks with 28 points as eight players scored in double-figures, and the team scored a season-high 142 points in the win.
All five San Antonio starters scored double figures, led by Malaki Branham’s 23.
WHAT TO KNOW
— Forward Justin Holiday made his debut after signing with Dallas last Wednesday. He checked into the game late in the first quarter and finished the game with 15 points, two rebounds, and two steals in 21 minutes.
— Dallas is now 32-29 on the season and in sixth place in the Western Conference, trailing Phoenix by half a game.
— Thursday’s game was Dallas’ first of six consecutive home games. The Mavericks will be home until March 8 and play the Lakers, Pacers, 76ers, Suns, and Jazz during that stretch.
— The Mavericks have 21 games remaining during the regular season, 11 of which are against teams under .500.
BY THE NUMBERS
— Dallas shot a season-best 52.4% from three-point range on the night.
— There were 68 defensive rebounds in this game, yet only 13 offensive rebounds.
WHO SAID
— Holiday on his approach in his first game in Dallas: “My plan was just to come in and play hard. I knew there were going to be open shots, but our team is so good those open shots can go to anybody. I knew I was going to have a few looks, but if I get the looks, I’m pretty confident I’m going to make them.”
— Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich on being elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in the same year as former Maverick Dirk Nowitzki: “If you’re going to go into the Hall of Fame with Dirk, you’re not worthy. He’s worthy; I’m not. The Hall of Fame is for people like Dirk, not me.”
NEXT UP
The Mavericks (32-29) host the Los Angeles Lakers (28-32) at 2:30 p.m. CST Sunday. The Spurs (14-46) will play the Utah Jazz (30-31) on the road at 8 p.m. CST Saturday.
