The Dallas Mavericks pulled off a dramatic 121-116 comeback victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night, fueled by Luka Doncic’s 37 points and 12 rebounds and clutch shooting from Spencer Dinwiddie and P.J. Washington Jr. in the final minutes. Trailing by eight with just over three minutes to play, the Mavericks closed the game on a 16-3 run, hitting five of seven fourth-quarter 3-pointers to keep their NBA Cup quarterfinal hopes alive.
Memphis controlled much of the second half, turning a three-point halftime deficit into a 15-point lead behind a dominant third quarter in which Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 14 of his 16 points. Ja Morant exploded for 31 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough to hold off Dallas. The Grizzlies, whose season-high six-game winning streak ended with the loss, were officially eliminated from the Cup race.
For Dallas, Doncic orchestrated another offensive masterclass despite poor games from Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson, while Washington Jr. contributed 18 points, including a critical corner 3-pointer in crunch time. Dereck Lively II added 17 points and 11 rebounds, and Dinwiddie provided 16 points, highlighted by his back-to-back 3-pointers late in the fourth quarter, the first of which gave Dallas the lead for good at 113-111 with under two minutes remaining.
Despite committing a season-high 25 turnovers, the Mavericks outshot Memphis from beyond the arc in the final period. The Grizzlies went just 2 of 10 from deep, which might have been the difference. The win marked Dallas’ fifth consecutive victory and ninth in their last 10 games, underscoring their resurgence. Let’s grade the players for their impressive comeback performance tonight.
Luka Doncic: A+
Stats: 37 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, 1 block, 3 turnovers, 4 fouls, 11-22 FG, 5-9 3PT FG, 10-16 FT, 40 mins
Luka Doncic delivered another MVP-caliber performance, carrying the Mavericks offensively and defensively in the clutch. His combination of scoring, rebounding, and playmaking kept Dallas within striking distance throughout the game. With five 3-pointers and key defensive plays, Luka orchestrated the late comeback, reaffirming his status as a legitimate MVP candidate.
P.J. Washington: A-
Stats: 18 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 4 turnovers, 3 fouls, 6-10 FG, 4-6 3PT FG, 2-5 FT, 38 mins
Washington showcased his versatility, contributing on both ends of the floor with timely scoring, rebounding, and playmaking. His critical corner 3-pointer in the closing minutes gave the Mavericks momentum. Despite a few turnovers, Washington’s all-around effort was key in Dallas’ victory and his score reflects that.
Dereck Lively II: B+
Stats: 17 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 0 steals, 3 blocks, 5 turnovers, 4 fouls, 7-10 FG, 0-0 3PT FG, 3-7 FT, 32 mins
Lively continued his impressive campaign with a strong double-double and defensive presence. His rim protection, highlighted by three blocks, helped keep Memphis in check during crucial moments. While his turnovers and free-throw struggles stood out, Lively’s energy and impact were undeniable and he gets a very high score for his defensive efforts.
Spencer Dinwiddie: B+
Stats: 16 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists, 0 steals, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, 5-10 FG, 3-5 3PT FG, 3-4 FT, 24 mins
Spencer Dinwiddie came alive late, hitting back-to-back 3-pointers that swung the game in Dallas’ favor. His scoring efficiency and ability to step up in crunch time were crucial to the comeback. Although not a huge factor for most of the game, his late heroics earned him a solid grade.
Daniel Gafford: C+
Stats: 11 points, 4 rebounds, 0 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 0 turnovers, 1 foul, 4-4 FG, 0-0 3PT FG, 3-3 FT, 16 mins
Daniel Gafford provided an efficient scoring burst off the bench, converting all four of his field goal attempts. His presence in limited minutes gave Dallas a boost, especially in the paint. However, his lack of rebounding and defensive impact limited his overall contribution.
Quentin Grimes: C+
Stats: 8 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 2 turnovers, 4 fouls, 2-5 FG, 1-4 3PT FG, 3-3 FT, 20 mins
Quentin Grimes had a quiet game but chipped in some points when needed, including a perfect showing at the free-throw line. His 3-point shooting wasn’t impactful, and he struggled defensively at times against Memphis’ guards. Overall, he had a modest showing with room for improvement.
Kyrie Irving: C
Stats: 10 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 0 blocks, 4 turnovers, 4 fouls, 3-14 FG, 0-4 3PT FG, 4-4 FT, 35 mins
Kyrie Irving had an uncharacteristically poor shooting night, going 3-for-14 from the field and failing to hit a 3-pointer. While he contributed on the boards and played decent defense, his offensive struggles and turnovers hurt Dallas during key stretches. This was a rare off night for one of the league’s premier scorers.
Klay Thompson: C
Stats: 4 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 0 blocks, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, 1-5 FG, 0-3 3PT FG, 2-2 FT, 20 mins
Klay Thompson had minimal impact offensively, finishing with just four points on poor shooting. His playmaking and defensive effort added some value, but they weren’t enough to offset his lack of scoring. Dallas will need more from him in future games.
Maxi Kleber: C
Stats: 0 points, 3 rebounds, 0 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 1 turnover, 0 fouls, 0-1 FG, 0-1 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 10 mins
Kleber was largely a non-factor in his limited minutes, contributing only three rebounds and little else. His inability to impact the game offensively or defensively was noticeable. While his role is usually more supportive, this was a forgettable performance.
Jaden Hardy: N/A
Stats: 0 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 2 turnovers, 0 fouls, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 4 mins
Jaden Hardy saw limited action and didn’t leave much of a mark in his brief time on the court, and we cannot give him a score as a result.
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