Luka Doncic's triple-double helps Mavs rally past Wizards

Field Level Media|published: Mon 12th February, 23:17 2024

Feb 12, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (33) drives to the basket between Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (25) and center Daniel Gafford (21) during the second quarter at the American Airlines Center. credits: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Luka Doncic recorded his 10th triple-double of the season and the Dallas Mavericks rallied from 11 points down in the fourth quarter to defeat the visiting Washington Wizards 112-104 on Monday night for their fifth straight win.

Doncic finished with 26 points on 8-of-16 shooting, 15 assists and 11 rebounds. Kyrie Irving also scored 26 points and former Wizard Daniel Gafford added 16 points and 17 rebounds.

Deni Avdija led the Wizards with 25 points and Kyle Kuzma scored 23. Tyus Jones had 14 points and a career-high 16 assists. Washington has lost seven in a row.

The Wizards led by 10 points to start the fourth and Richaun Holmes' basket gave Washington its biggest lead, 93-82 at the 10:08 mark.

Washington went cold however and a pair of Jaden Hardy three-pointers sandwiched around a Doncic fadeaway trimmed the Mavericks' deficit to 95-94 with 6:33 remaining. Maxi Kleber's 3-pointer gave the Mavericks their first lead of the half and the teams traded baskets.

Doncic's 3-pointer put Dallas up 102-98 with 4:21 to go, and Kleber's dunk made it 106-100 with 3:11 left. Irving's fastbreak layup increased the lead to 110-102 with 2:07 left.

After a timeout, Kuzma made a layup for Washington, but the Wizards could get no closer than within six the rest of the way.

Jordan Poole opened the third quarter with a three-pointer that put the Wizards up 61-51. Dallas clawed back and Doncic's fadeaway jumper cut the Mavericks' deficit to 78-74, but Corey Kispert answered with a three-pointer to push the lead back to seven and his layup in the final minute sent Washington into the fourth quarter with an 88-78 lead.

Doncic's free throw gave the Mavericks a 49-47 lead with 2:26 left until halftime, but the Wizards scored eight straight points — four by Jones — during an 11-2 run and led 58-51 at intermission. Washington scored 12 fastbreak points in the quarter.

Kuzma scored 16 points in the half and Jones had 10 assists for Washington.

Doncic had 13 points and 10 assists for Dallas before halftime.

—Field Level Media

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