The Dallas Mavericks kept their playoff hopes alive, while the Texas Rangers avoided a sweep on Wednesday.
Here is what happened on the court, on the field, and behind the scenes.
NBA
Dallas Mavericks (38-42, third in Southwest Division, tied for 10th in Western Conference)
Last Game: Mavericks 123, Sacramento Kings 119
Kyrie Irving scored 19 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter as the Mavericks kept their slim playoff hopes alive. After taking the lead at the end of the first quarter, Dallas allowed Sacramento to score 44 points in the second, and Sacramento took an 11-point lead at the half. The Mavericks managed to tie things up entering the fourth, where Irving helped lead a run to close the game.
Noteworthy: Dallas is now tied with Oklahoma City for 10th in the Western Conference with two games remaining in the regular season. Both teams are two games behind Minnesota, and Oklahoma City holds the tiebreaker over Dallas.
— The Mavericks improved to 23-16 at home this season. Both of their remaining games will be played in Dallas.
— Before the game, owner Mark Cuban told the media that the Mavericks never got a chance to re-sign point guard Jalen Brunson in the offseason and pointed at Brunson’s father as a critical reason. Brunson signed with the New York Knicks and is averaging 24 points and 6.2 assists per game.
Next Up: Chicago Bulls (38-42) at Mavericks, 7:30 p.m. CT Friday
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MLB
Texas Rangers (4-2, tied first in American League West)
Last Game: Rangers 5, Baltimore Orioles 2
Josh Jung extended his hitting streak to five games, and Jacob deGrom picked up his first win of the season as the Rangers avoided a three-game sweep against Baltimore. Jung’s second home run of the season broke a 2-2 tie in the sixth inning, and Texas tacked on an insurance run on a Nathaniel Lowe double in the sixth.
Noteworthy: After struggling in his season debut against the Phillies last week, deGrom struck out 11 while giving up one earned run through six innings.
— The Rangers are 4-2 through six games for the first time since 2019.
— Will Smith, Jonathan Hernandez, and Jose Leclerc combined for three scoreless innings out of the bullpen, extending the Rangers’ bullpen scoreless streak to 21.1 innings.
— The Rangers have an off day on Thursday. Nathan Eovaldi will start for Texas on Friday against the Cubs.
Next Up: Rangers at Chicago Cubs (2-3), 1:20 p.m. CT Friday
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NHL
Dallas Stars (42-21-14, tied first in Central Division, tied fourth in Western Conference)
Noteworthy: The Stars hold firm with five games left. Dallas has already clinched a playoff spot and would play Colorado in the first round as of Thursday.
Next Up: Philadelphia Flyers (29-35-13) at Stars, 7:30 p.m. CT Thursday