DALLAS — Luka Doncic showcased an impressive performance, scoring 28 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, while Klay Thompson contributed 22 points in his debut for the Mavericks as they secured a 120-109 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in their season opener Thursday night.
Kyrie Irving contributed with 15 points for the Mavericks, the reigning Western Conference champions, with Doncic also dishing out eight assists and Thompson pulling down seven rebounds during the game.
Victor Wembanyama, the highly touted French player, faced some challenges, hitting only 5 of 18 shots to finish with 17 points as he kicked off his second season with the Spurs. Jeremy Sochan and Julian Champagnie were both solid contributors, adding 18 points each to the Spurs’ effort.
Notable highlights from the contest include Thompson’s debut being as much of a focal point as Chris Paul’s introduction to the Spurs, marking the beginning of his 20th season. For a Spurs squad eager to break a five-season playoff drought, Paul’s experience is invaluable. While he only managed to score three points with a single 3-pointer in the third quarter, his playmaking skills were evident as he provided eight assists and seven rebounds.
The Dallas Mavericks have emphasized the importance of defense, especially with their star trio of Doncic, Irving, and Thompson. In the third quarter, they demonstrated this momentarily by forcing three consecutive turnovers from the Spurs. However, the Mavericks could only capitalize with two points from those turnovers.
A pivotal moment emerged when the Mavericks surged to their largest lead of the night, 69-55, during the third quarter. This occurred when Doncic navigated through heavy defensive traffic beneath the basket and made an impressive blind pass over his head to P.J. Washington Jr., who knocked down an open three-point shot.
The Mavericks significantly improved their three-point shooting in the second half, connecting on 13 of 18 attempts after managing only 6 of 23 in the first half, which was key to their victory.
Looking ahead, the Spurs will prepare for their next game, facing the Houston Rockets at home on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Mavericks will hit the road for their next matchup against the Phoenix Suns on the same day.