Quentin Grimes led the Dallas Mavericks to a 118-97 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night, snapping a five-game losing streak. Grimes posted 26 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, connecting on six of 11 three-point attempts to match his career high.
P.J. Washington added 22 points and eight rebounds, shooting 9-for-14 from the field, as Dallas improved to 21-16 on the season. Despite missing Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, the Mavericks shot 52% from the field and overwhelmed the Lakers with an 11-0 run to close the first half.
The Lakers fell to 20-16 after their second straight loss. Anthony Davis recorded 21 points and 12 rebounds, while LeBron James contributed 18 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists. However, the Purple and Gold struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 11 of 35 attempts (31.4%).
Dallas dominated the rebounding battle 44-33 and received significant contributions from their bench, which outscored Los Angeles 50-25. Jaden Hardy tallied 15 points off the bench, while Grimes and Hardy combined for 38 points in the reserve unit’s effort.
The Mavericks extended their lead to as many as 21 points in the third quarter, with Spencer Dinwiddie adding 19 points and eight assists. The Lakers’ defense had no answer for Dallas’ perimeter shooting, as the Mavericks drained 18 three-pointers on 47% accuracy.
Dallas hadn’t endured a six-game losing streak since the 2020-21 season and avoided matching that mark with a collective performance despite the absence of Doncic (calf strain) and Irving (back injury).
Los Angeles saw limited production from its supporting cast, with only Austin Reaves (15 points) and Max Christie (12 points) reaching double figures among the role players. Rui Hachimura was held to just six points on five shot attempts, and the Lakers’ bench combined for a mere 25 points.
The Mavericks next face a challenging test as they prepare for a matchup against theDenver Nuggets. The Lakers, meanwhile, aim to bounce back when they visit the hot Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night.
