Kyrie Irving led with 34 points, and Luka Doncic contributed 27 points, narrowly missing a triple-double, as the Dallas Mavericks rallied from a 15-point deficit to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 116-93 during Wednesday’s NBA action.
Doncic exited the game early in the fourth quarter due to neck discomfort but had already made a significant impact with nine rebounds and eight assists in 31 minutes of play.
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.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Kyrie Irving, Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs Updates
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.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Kyrie Irving, Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs Updates
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.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Kyrie Irving, Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs Updates
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.
