Luka Doncic delivered a phenomenal performance with 41 points, including 30 in the first half, guiding the Dallas Mavericks to a dominant 126-97 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers during Wednesday’s NBA action. Kyrie Irving added 29 points, marking a significant improvement from their previous game, where the pair had struggled with shooting efficiency.
The duo combined for a 23-40 shooting performance, contrasting their 12-34 effort in a loss at Utah. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd praised the team’s ball movement and defensive focus, highlighting the game as a strong response to the Utah defeat.
“Great response to what happened in Utah,” Kidd said. “I thought the ball movement was great. Defensively, was really, really good. We were locked in.”
Irving matched his season-high with nine rebounds, and Tim Hardaway Jr. contributed 14 points for the Mavericks, who were kicking off a seven-game homestand — their longest this season — with the first of two consecutive matches against Portland.
“I think it started at the tip of the game in setting the tone, setting our mentality in how we wanted to play for the rest of the game,” Irving said. “I feel like when we played against the Jazz, including myself, I didn’t get off to a good start, so I just wanted to take it upon myself to galvanize the group and stay aggressive in those first few possessions and really get a good feel of where my body is and where my mind is and just live with the results.”
The Trail Blazers, led by Shaedon Sharpe with 16 points and Anfernee Simons with 15, faced difficulties in the first of two extended seven-game trips. The Mavericks, nearing full health, encountered setbacks with ankle injuries to rookie Dereck Lively II and Grant Williams. Coach Kidd indicated that both injuries were mild sprains, with further updates expected.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Kyrie Irving, Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, Portland Trail Blazers Updates
The Mavericks’ shooting was particularly impressive in the first half, hitting 62% from the field and setting a season-high for first-half points, leading to a substantial 78-47 advantage. Doncic’s performance was highlighted by efficient free-throw shooting, and Portland’s 20 fouls and 14 turnovers in the first half contributed to Dallas’ 21 points off turnovers.
Portland coach Chauncey Billups acknowledged the difficulty in defending Dallas, especially with added turnovers leading to easy transition points. A notable moment included Irving accidentally banking in a shot intended as an alley-oop pass.
“This team’s hard enough to guard in the halfcourt, period,” Billups said. “And then you give them the easy ones in transition. That compounds things and just makes it tough.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Kyrie Irving, Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, Portland Trail Blazers Updates
The game also saw Portland’s rookie Duop Reath ejected for a flagrant-2 foul, and the Blazers struggled with foul trouble, finishing with 34 fouls. Simons returned from a three-game absence, and rookie Toumani Camara was back after missing a game, but both Camara and Ibou Badji fouled out.
Looking ahead, the Mavericks continue their homestand with another game against Portland, followed by back-to-back games against New Orleans. The Mavericks and Pelicans previously split a pair of games in November.
