Luka Doncic made a triumphant return from a wrist injury, leading the Dallas Mavericks to a 137-131 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night.
In his first game back after missing five contests, Doncic delivered a commanding performance with 36 points and 13 assists, helping the Mavericks secure their fourth consecutive win.
The Mavericks were without Kyrie Irving, who sat out due to a sore shoulder after scoring 30 points in Saturday’s win over the Utah Jazz. Also missing were Klay Thompson (left foot), Dereck Lively II (right knee), and Naji Marshall (illness), making Doncic’s return even more critical for Dallas. Despite the depleted roster, the Mavericks showed resilience and depth against a determined Trail Blazers squad.
Anfernee Simons was a standout for Portland, scoring 27 points with an explosive 24-point third quarter that nearly turned the tide in the Blazers’ favor. His scoring outburst kept Portland in the game, trimming a Dallas lead that had ballooned to 12 points at one point.
Dallas controlled much of the fourth quarter, extending their lead to 112-101 after a Spencer Dinwiddie three-pointer. However, Portland mounted a late comeback, tying the game at 127 with just under two minutes left following a three-point play by Deni Avdija. The Mavericks responded swiftly, with P.J. Washington nailing a clutch baseline three-pointer to give Dallas the edge.
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The Blazers couldn’t regain momentum after Washington’s shot, allowing the Mavericks to close out the win. Portland had earlier led by as many as 10 points in the first quarter, but the Mavericks quickly erased that deficit, taking a narrow 61-58 lead into halftime. Doncic was instrumental in that surge, closing the first half with two three-pointers and a mid-range jumper to give Dallas the lead.
The third quarter saw a fierce battle, highlighted by Simons’ 24-point explosion. However, a Quentin Grimes dunk helped Dallas re-establish control, pushing their lead to 79-67. Though Portland chipped away at the advantage, Dallas maintained a 100-97 edge entering the final period.
Defensively, Dallas showed grit despite missing key players. Center Daniel Gafford provided a notable effort, shaking off a first-quarter injury after being inadvertently hit in the face. Gafford returned to action, bolstering the Mavericks’ frontcourt presence and contributing to their victory.
Portland’s injury woes continued as Scoot Henderson remained sidelined for the third straight game with a left quad contusion. The absence of their rookie guard was felt as the Blazers struggled to find consistent offense outside of Simons’ heroics.
The key moment of the game belonged to Doncic’s strong finish to the first half, where his scoring run helped Dallas shift the momentum. His leadership on the floor was crucial as the Mavericks fended off Portland’s relentless push in the final minutes.
For Portland, Simons’ 24-point third quarter was a highlight, falling just four points shy of the franchise record for points in a single quarter. However, the Blazers’ inability to sustain that offensive rhythm in the fourth ultimately doomed their comeback effort.
With this win, Dallas continues to build momentum, improving to 4-0 since Doncic’s return and positioning themselves strongly in the Western Conference. The Mavericks will look to keep their streak alive when they host the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers face another tough test as they visit the Los Angeles Clippers that same night, hoping to rebound from this close loss.
The Mavericks’ victory underscores their resilience and reliance on Doncic’s star power, while the Blazers will need to regroup quickly to stop their recent slide.
