Luka Doncic delivered an outstanding performance with 45 points and 15 assists, while Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 36, leading the Dallas Mavericks to a narrow 131-129 victory over the Orlando Magic during Monday’s NBA action.
Doncic and Hardaway Jr. scored 54 of Dallas’ 70 points in the second half, including 27 in the crucial fourth quarter, which witnessed 10 of the game’s 13 lead changes. The Mavericks’ shooting was exceptionally efficient, hitting a season-high 62.3% from the field, including 64.7% in the second half.
Orlando had a strong start, leading 77-61 at halftime. However, Dallas mounted a remarkable comeback with a 31-9 run, partly aided by a strategic shift to zone defense, taking a 96-89 lead into the final period. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd and player Hardaway praised the team’s halftime adjustments and resilience.
“We had a great conversation at halftime,” Kidd said. “Luka was Luka. We solved some of the problems.”
Hardaway highlighted the importance of the halftime conversation Kidd had with the team, crediting it for getting the Mavericks back on track.
“They did a phenomenal job in the first half reading our scouting report,” Hardaway said. “All we did was go in at halftime, talk through it and came back out and set the tone and got the win.”
Dereck Lively II and Jalen Hardy also made significant contributions for the Mavericks, scoring 20 points each, with Hardy’s 18 points in the first half marking a season-high.
Doncic, coming off a record-breaking 73-point game and a 28-point performance in recent matches, played 43 minutes, including the entire second half, demonstrating his endurance and skill.
For the Magic, Paolo Banchero led with 36 points following their victory against Phoenix. Franz Wagner and rookie Anthony Black, a Dallas-area native, added 21 and 20 points, respectively.
“It was just a back-and-forth game, especially in the fourth quarter,” Banchero said. “You’ve got to take a lesson with every loss.”
A critical moment came with the Magic trailing by three points and Banchero at the free-throw line with only 3.6 seconds left. His intentional miss and Wagner’s subsequent long-range attempt failed to secure Orlando’s win.
The Mavericks were without key players, including Kyrie Irving, Derrick Jones Jr., and Dante Exum, while the Magic missed Markelle Fultz due to rest in back-to-back games.
Looking ahead, the Magic will face the San Antonio Spurs, while the Mavericks are set to meet the Minnesota Timberwolves in their upcoming matches.
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