DALLAS — Luka Doncic showcased his talent with a remarkable performance, scoring 37 points and grabbing 12 rebounds as the Dallas Mavericks rallied from a 15-point deficit to secure a 121-116 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. Key contributions came from Spencer Dinwiddie and P.J. Washington Jr., who both delivered crucial three-pointers in the closing moments of the game, helping the Mavericks keep their hopes alive for a spot in the NBA Cup quarterfinals.
With the stakes high on the last night of group play, Dallas was in need of a win along with some assistance to clinch the Western Conference wild-card position. At one point, they found themselves down 111-103 with just 3:34 remaining. However, a decisive 16-3 run, highlighted by consecutive three-pointers from Dinwiddie and another from Washington, allowed them to regain control.
Beyond Doncic’s standout performance, Washington contributed 18 points, Dereck Lively II added 17 points along with 11 rebounds, and Dinwiddie ended the night with 16 points. This victory marked the Mavericks’ fifth consecutive win, part of an impressive stretch that has seen them claim nine victories in their last ten games.
The Grizzlies had their six-game winning streak snapped, despite Ja Morant’s commendable performance, where he scored a season-high 31 points, including 15 in the final quarter. Teammate Desmond Bane also played well, adding 19 points, while Jaren Jackson Jr. put up 16 points, 14 of which came in the first half.
After taking a slight 60-57 advantage into the second half, the Mavericks faced a tough third quarter where the Grizzlies outscored them 38-22. The Mavericks countered in the fourth, dominating with a 39-21 scoring margin.
In an interesting note from the game, Morant did not attempt a shot until 10:07 remained in the second period, finishing that half with only five points. The Mavericks faced their own struggles with turnovers, committing a season-high 25, but managed to minimize the damage as Memphis committed 19 turnovers of their own, leading to a close points off turnovers battle (27-26).
A pivotal moment came when Dinwiddie netted back-to-back three-pointers, the first of which gave Dallas a crucial 113-111 lead with just 1:40 on the clock, ensuring they wouldn’t relinquish their advantage.
Statistically, the Mavericks converted five of their seven three-point attempts in the fourth quarter, while the Grizzlies struggled by hitting only 2 of 10.
Looking ahead, the Grizzlies are set to face the Sacramento Kings on Thursday. Meanwhile, the Mavericks will commence a two-game road trip through the Eastern Conference, beginning with a matchup against the Washington Wizards on the same day.
