Irving, Doncic Propel Mavs To 116-93 Victory Against Spurs

This victory marked the Mavericks’ sixth consecutive win, setting a season record, while the Spurs faced their eighth loss in their last nine games, dropping to an 11-44 season record.

Spurs rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama scored 26 points, showcasing his skills in his first game in Dallas after missing a previous matchup due to an ankle injury.

The Mavericks turned the game around with a 15-1 run to close the first half and extended their lead with a 26-7 run to start the third quarter, eventually leading by as much as 29 points.

After a slow start, Irving ignited in the second quarter, scoring 17 points, including a memorable reverse finish over Wembanyama, which left the 7-foot-3 rookie in disbelief.

“The big fella just came over and said that was a lucky shot,” Irving said.

Despite the Spurs’ strong start, their shooting efficiency declined as the game progressed, highlighting the challenge of competing when heavily reliant on 3-point shooting.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich acknowledged the exceptional performances of Doncic and Irving while also defending Wembanyama’s overall impact despite a quieter second half.

“In today’s league, you can’t be 10 for 40 (on 3-pointers) and have a decent chance to win a game,” Popovich said. “On top of that, I thought Luka and Kyrie, you know, they played like Hall of Fame players.”

Dereck Lively II returned for the Mavericks after a seven-game absence due to a broken nose, contributing eight points and five rebounds off the bench. Additionally, a recent acquisition, Daniel Gafford, recorded his second consecutive double-double for Dallas.

Both teams look forward to their next matchups after the NBA All-Star break, with the Spurs facing the Sacramento Kings and the Mavericks hosting the Phoenix Suns on February 22.