Kyrie Irving delivered a stellar performance for the Dallas Mavericks, scoring 32 points and adding six assists and seven rebounds in a 129-119 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night.
The Mavericks (10-8) managed to secure the win despite being without Luka Doncic, who missed his third consecutive game due to a right wrist strain.
Jaden Hardy stepped up in his first start of the season, scoring a career-high 23 points to complement Irving’s efforts. Naji Marshall also contributed with 22 points, helping Dallas to its fifth win in the last six games.
Irving had a slow start, posting just 10 points at halftime, as he struggled against Hawks guard Dyson Daniels. However, he found his rhythm in the second half, including a stretch of five consecutive field goals, which helped his team pull away.
Despite the absence of Doncic, the Mavericks’ offense clicked in the fourth quarter, especially when Irving scored 14 points in a critical three-minute span. This scoring burst shifted the momentum, allowing Dallas to overcome a narrow 104-103 deficit and extend their lead to 118-109.
On the other side, Jalen Johnson led the Hawks (7-11) with a double-double performance, scoring 28 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
Trae Young had a strong game as well, with 18 points and a season-high 16 assists. However, it wasn’t enough to overcome Dallas’ offensive firepower.
The Hawks struggled with their shooting from beyond the arc, making only 9 of 31 three-pointers. Despite shooting 47.5% from the field overall, their inability to convert from long range hindered their chances.
The Mavericks had their own challenges, playing the second half of a back-to-back after a tough overtime loss to Miami. They were also without Klay Thompson (plantar fascia) and Quentin Grimes (illness), but still found a way to get the win. Spencer Dinwiddie added 22 points and four assists in a key role off the bench.
