DALLAS — Quinten Grimes delivered a standout performance, putting up 26 points, grabbing nine rebounds, and dishing out six assists to guide the Dallas Mavericks to a 118-97 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night, breaking their five-game losing streak.
Grimes showcased his shooting prowess, matching his career high by sinking six 3-pointers while shooting 6-for-11 from beyond the arc. P.J. Washington also made a significant contribution, scoring 22 points and securing eight rebounds with a shooting accuracy of 9-for-14. The Mavericks finished the game with an overall shooting percentage of 52%, converting 18 of their 38 field goal attempts.
Despite missing key players, the Mavericks were able to turn things around. Luka Doncic has been sidelined since December 25 due to a left calf strain, and Kyrie Irving has missed the last two games because of a bulging disk in his back.
On the other side, Anthony Davis was the leading scorer for the Lakers, contributing 21 points along with 12 rebounds, while LeBron James added 18 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists. The loss marked the Lakers’ second consecutive defeat and their third in the last five outings.
For the Lakers, the game featured a challenging 11-for-35 performance from beyond the arc and an overall field goal shooting percentage of 45%. They were outmatched on the boards, with the Mavericks dominating in rebounding 44 to 33, and at one point were trailing by as much as 21 points.
The Mavericks had not experienced a six-game losing streak since late January to early February 2021. The turning point in the game came as Dallas finished the first half with an impressive 11-0 run, seizing a five-point lead. They continued to build their momentum into the third quarter, extending their lead to 16 points with just three minutes left in the period.
A notable statistic from the matchup was the impressive performance by the Mavericks’ bench, which outscored the Lakers’ reserves 50-25. Grimes and Jaden Hardy combined to account for 38 of those crucial points.
Looking ahead, the Lakers are set to kick off a five-game homestand, starting with a matchup against the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday. Meanwhile, the Mavericks will play host to the Portland Trail Blazers on the same day.
