On Wednesday night, Luka Doncic scored 21 points, ending his seven-game run of triple-doubles, and the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Golden State Warriors 109-99.
The league’s top scorer, Doncic, departed the game in the fourth quarter due to discomfort in his left hamstring.
The Warriors lost their fifth game in six this season without their star guard, Stephen Curry, and it showed. It was their third straight game without him, shooting under 40 percent for nearly the whole contest.
Since Curry’s injury, Golden State is winless due to an injured right ankle. Curry should accompany the club to Los Angeles, where the Warriors take on the Lakers on Saturday, according to coach Steve Kerr’s statement prior to the game. Whether he will be available is uncertain.
Draymond Green was also out for the Warriors due to back pain, which prevented him from playing before the game. With 27 points, Jonathan Kuminga led Golden State.
Daniel Gafford extended his run of made field goals to 33, two shy of Wilt Chamberlain’s NBA record from 1967, by going 5 of 5 from the floor, all on dunks. The 6-foot-10 centre had a season-high seven blocks after being acquired prior to the trade deadline.
Doncic ended a triple-double run that featured NBA records for five straight games with at least 35 points and six straight games with at least 30 points with nine assists and three rebounds.
The Mavericks survived one of their worst nights of the season from 3-point range, beginning 1 of 17 before completing 6 of 27 (22%), while the Warriors shot poorly from all angles.
Deep into the third quarter, Doncic made his only basket and raised his arms in the air. While Kyrie Irving went 1 of 5 from beyond the arc and finished with 23 points, 10 assists, and 8 rebounds, he was only 1 of 6 from that range.
Early in the fourth quarter, with Doncic resting, the Mavericks took command with an 11-0 run for an 87-72 advantage. Just 22 seconds later in the quarter, Doncic made his comeback before departing once more. The club soon declared that he would not be coming back.
For Golden State, Andrew Wiggins scored 17 points.
