Luka Doncic secured his 10th triple-double of the season despite a brief absence due to injury, propelling the Dallas Mavericks to a 112-104 victory over the Washington Wizards on Monday. Doncic’s impressive stat line included 26 points, 15 assists, and 11 rebounds. The star player missed five minutes in the fourth quarter after sustaining an injury from taking a charge, receiving medical attention for his chin and mouth. Upon his return, Doncic ignited a comeback, scoring six consecutive points and helping the Mavericks seize a 103-98 lead with under four minutes remaining. Dallas dominated the fourth quarter, outscoring Washington 34-16.
Kyrie Irving contributed 26 points to the Mavericks’ win, extending their season-best winning streak to five games. Daniel Gafford, acquired by Dallas from Washington before the trade deadline, delivered an impressive performance with 16 points and a career-matching 17 rebounds. Deni Avdija and Kyle Kuzma led the Wizards’ efforts with 25 and 23 points, respectively, but their contributions weren’t enough to break their seven-game losing streak. Tyus Jones chipped in with 14 points and 16 assists for Washington.The Wizards gained momentum towards the end of the second quarter, closing with an 11-2 run to take a 58-51 lead at halftime. Despite 15 lead changes in the first half, Washington managed to maintain a slight advantage. Gafford showcased his skills early on, recording seven points, 14 rebounds (including six offensive rebounds), and three blocks in the first half. However, Dallas struggled with turnovers, committing 13 in the first half alone, resulting in a 14-4 deficit in points off turnovers.Dallas faced challenges with injuries, missing starting rookie center Dereck Lively II and starting guard Dante Exum for multiple consecutive games. The absence of these key players tested the Mavericks’ depth throughout the game. Patrick Dumont, the newly appointed governor of the Mavericks following the team’s sale approved by the NBA in December, attended his first game of the season. He was seated alongside CEO Cynt Marshall and general manager Nico Harrison in the front row, observing the team’s performance firsthand.Looking ahead, the Wizards will face the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday, while the Mavericks will host the San Antonio Spurs on the same day.
