Kyrie Irving led the scoring with 28 points, while Luka Doncic contributed a triple-double as the Dallas Mavericks narrowly defeated the San Antonio Spurs 113-107 during Tuesday’s NBA action.
Despite a challenging shooting night, Doncic secured his eighth triple-double in the last ten games, proving instrumental in a victory that is crucial for the Mavericks’ playoff aspirations.
“Yes, it does count as a ‘W,’” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. “Not all wins are pretty.”
The Mavericks now closely trail the Sacramento Kings in the Western Conference standings, aiming for the final automatic playoff berth.
The Spurs saw significant contributions from Tre Jones and Devin Vassell, but it was Victor Wembanyama‘s double-double that stood out despite the loss.
“We made all kinds of mistakes, but so did they and they want to win a championship,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “Our goal is to get better every game individually and team-wise, and they did that. I’m really proud of what they did.”
Dallas’s ability to complete a season sweep against San Antonio was underscored by the critical performances of Irving and Doncic in the game’s final minutes.
“For us not to shoot the ball well, we relied on our defense to help us get this win,” Kidd said. “San Antonio is a team that puts a lot of pressure on your defense. I thought the guys did a really good job on Victor and Vassell.”
The Spurs’ resilience was evident as they erased a 13-point deficit with significant runs in the third and fourth quarters, momentarily taking the lead.
“Give San Antonio credit,” Kidd said. “They are long, they are active and they have a guy (Wembanyama) that can block or swipe a lot of shots.”
Despite the Spurs’ efforts, the Mavericks regained control in the closing minutes, securing the win with crucial contributions from their stars.
Dante Exum‘s performance, particularly in the final quarter, was a key factor in Dallas’s success.
“It doesn’t matter how Luka is playing,” Exum said. “If he’s playing amazing, he’s going to get doubled. If he is playing bad, he’s going to get doubled. So, he’s always going to create opportunities for everyone to score and make the next play.”
Doncic’s playmaking was on display throughout the game, with standout moments that highlighted his ability to influence the game despite his shooting struggles.
As the Mavericks and Spurs prepare for their upcoming games, this victory underscores Dallas’s tenacity and ability to secure wins under pressure.
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