Luka Doncic dominated with 44 points as the Dallas Mavericks convincingly defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 144-126 in an NBA In-Season Tournament matchup. This marked the Clippers’ third consecutive loss since James Harden's addition to their lineup.
Doncic showcased incredible accuracy, making 17 of 21 field goals, including 6 of 9 from beyond the arc. Kyrie Irving contributed 27 points, sinking 5 of 8 three-pointers, propelling Dallas to a 1-1 tournament record following an initial loss to Denver, according to the AP.
The Mavericks surged ahead with a commanding 47-18 second period and a stunning 33-4 run in the first half, during which they scored 17 consecutive points. Their lead peaked at 32 points early in the third period, crossing the 100-point mark with 4 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter and achieving their highest point total of the season.
Kawhi Leonard led the struggling Clippers with 26 points in the tournament opener. Harden, who recently joined the team after a trade from Philadelphia, contributed 14 points, all in the first quarter. Despite his strong start, Harden emphasized the challenge of finding his rhythm within the team dynamics.
Harden highlighted the early stage of his transition to the Clippers, expressing the ongoing process of acclimating to the team's strategies and dynamics.
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue emphasized the importance of pairing Harden with a significant post player, especially given the absence of backup center Mason Plumlee due to an MCL sprain.
Paul George of the Clippers was limited to eight points, and key players like Leonard, Westbrook, Harden, and George sat out the fourth quarter.
Dallas rallied after a slow start, turning around an initial 31-19 Clippers lead to command a 77-51 halftime advantage, significantly surpassing their highest-scoring first half of the season.
The Mavericks rebounded from their first home loss of the season against Toronto with an impressive victory over the Clippers. Notably, the game did not take place on the Mavericks' designated tournament court due to an NBA-reported "manufacturing issue."
Up next, the Clippers will host Memphis, while the Mavericks will play regular and tournament games against New Orleans on Sunday and Tuesday, respectively.