The Dallas Mavericks secured their spot in the second round of the playoffs with a thrilling 114-101 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. Luka Doncic led the charge with 28 points and 13 assists, despite battling through a rough shooting night due to his ailing right knee.
Kyrie Irving also stepped up for the Mavericks, scoring 28 of his 30 points in a second-half surge that helped seal the win. The victory marked the first time in three first-round matchups over the past five seasons that the Mavericks were able to defeat the Clippers.
The Clippers, playing without Kawhi Leonard due to right knee inflammation, struggled to keep up with the Mavericks’ offensive firepower. Paul George put up 18 points and 11 rebounds, while James Harden contributed 16 points and 13 assists, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Mavericks’ dominant performance.
With the win, the Mavericks will now face the top-seeded Oklahoma City in the Western Conference semifinals. The team’s co-star, Irving, who was acquired at the trade deadline last year, made a significant impact with a flashy four-point play that extended the Mavericks’ lead.
Despite facing challenges with injuries and illness, Doncic and the Mavericks showed resilience and determination in closing out the series against the Clippers. The team’s depth was on full display, with contributions from players like Norman Powell, Ivica Zubac, and P.J. Washington.
As the Mavericks look ahead to the next round of the playoffs, they will need to maintain their momentum and continue to play at a high level to advance further in the postseason.