Luka Doncic delivered a stellar performance with 45 points and 15 assists, guiding the Dallas Mavericks (26-21) to a thrilling 131-129 victory over the Orlando Magic (24-23) on Monday night.
Tim Hardaway Jr. contributed significantly with 36 points, forming a dynamic duo that dominated the second half.
Doncic and Hardaway Jr. were instrumental, particularly in the fourth quarter, where they combined for 27 of the team’s 35 points.
Dallas faced a significant halftime deficit as the Magic led 77-61, coming four points shy of their franchise record for points in a first half. However, the Mavericks mounted a remarkable comeback in the third quarter, going on a 31-9 run, and entered the final period with a 96-89 lead.
Dereck Lively II added a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Jalen Hardy scored 18 of his season-high 20 points in the first half.
Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 36 points. Franz Wagner contributed 21 points, and Anthony Black delivered a strong performance off the bench with 20 points.
In the dying seconds, with the Magic trailing by three points, Banchero had an opportunity to tie the game from the free-throw line. Despite making the first free throw, his intentional miss on the second attempt didn’t yield the desired result, and the Mavericks secured the rebound to seal the win.
Notably, the Mavericks played without Kyrie Irving, Derrick Jones Jr., and Dante Exum, while the Magic missed the presence of Markelle Fultz.
