Luka Doncic delivered a masterclass with 37 points and 12 rebounds as the Dallas Mavericks staged a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies 121-116 on Tuesday night.
The victory secured the Mavericks the NBA Cup West wild-card spot, setting up a showdown against the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder.
Dallas entered the final night of group play needing both a win and external results to fall in their favor. Despite trailing by 15 points earlier in the game and facing an eight-point deficit with under four minutes left, the Mavericks came alive when it mattered most.
Clutch Gene Activated
Spencer Dinwiddie and P.J. Washington Jr. were the heroes in the closing moments, hitting pivotal three-pointers in the final two minutes. With 1:40 remaining, Dinwiddie drilled a pull-up three in transition to give Dallas a 113-111 lead, their first since the third quarter. Washington followed with another dagger from deep to help seal the win as part of a decisive 16-3 run.
Washington finished with 18 points, showcasing his versatility, while rookie Dereck Lively II contributed 17 points and 11 rebounds in a strong interior performance. Dinwiddie added 16 points, including the back-to-back threes that flipped the script late in the game.
Mavericks Find Answers Late
The Mavericks’ resilience was tested in the third quarter when Memphis outscored them 38-22 to seize momentum. However, Dallas responded with their best stretch of the night in the fourth quarter, outscoring Memphis 39-21. The late surge included aggressive drives to the basket, drawing contact and earning trips to the free-throw line—a season-high 44 attempts for Dallas.
While the Mavericks struggled with turnovers, committing a season-high 25, they limited the damage by forcing Memphis into 19 turnovers of their own, nearly breaking even on points off turnovers (27-26).
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Morant’s Fourth-Quarter Heroics Fall Short
Ja Morant did his best to carry the Grizzlies in the fourth, scoring 15 of his season-high 31 points in the final period. Memphis had been riding a six-game winning streak, and for much of the night, it looked like they would extend it to seven. But Dallas’ defensive adjustments and clutch shot-making kept Morant and the Grizzlies at bay when it counted most.
Desmond Bane chipped in 19 points, while Jaren Jackson Jr. added 16, 14 of which came in the first half. Despite strong contributions from their stars, Memphis struggled to maintain their third-quarter dominance into the final frame.
Key Stats Tell the Story
Free throws played a massive role in the Mavericks’ comeback. Dallas attempted a season-high 44 free throws, connecting on 30, compared to Memphis’ 14 attempts. In the fourth quarter alone, Dallas made 18 trips to the line, converting 12. Meanwhile, Memphis managed just three free throws in the period.
Additionally, the Mavericks’ bench provided timely scoring, with Washington and Dinwiddie combining for 34 points to complement Doncic’s brilliance.
Moving Forward
The Mavericks are peaking at the right time, winning five straight and nine of their last 10. Their depth, combined with Doncic’s MVP-caliber performances, makes them a dangerous opponent as they head into the NBA Cup quarterfinals.
The Grizzlies, on the other hand, saw their season-high winning streak snapped and their NBA Cup dreams dashed. Memphis will need to regroup quickly as they prepare to host the Sacramento Kings on Thursday.
Dallas begins a two-game Eastern Conference road trip Thursday against the Washington Wizards, riding high on momentum and with their eyes set on a deep run in the NBA Cup.
