Doncic, Mavericks breeze past hapless Spurs

Luka Doncic had 28 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds as the Dallas Mavericks cruised past the reeling San Antonio Spurs 142-116 in front of 20, 287 fans at American Airlines Center on Thursday night.

And that’s how you start the second half! MAVS WIN!!@Chime | #MFFL pic.twitter.com/172YKyRU4q

— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) February 24, 2023

Kyrie Irving added 23 and the All-Star pair won for the first time together in Dallas.

The Mavericks had a season high in points while stopping a three-game losing streak in the return from the All-Star break while the Spurs extended their franchise-record skid to 15 games with their 20th loss in 21 games.

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The start of the opener of a six-game homestand, longest of the season for Dallas, was delayed about 20 minutes because of moisture on the court with crews working before the game and at halftime to dry the court.

Mavs’ Slovenian star Doncic went to the bench after three quarters in his third game with Irving, who eliminated the need for Doncic to play in the fourth, scoring or assisting on 13 consecutive points early in the final period as a 10-point lead increased to 25 before the seven-minute mark.

Malaki Branham led San Antonio with 23 points, and Keldon Johnson finished with 22 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.

The Spurs’ nine-game road trip ends with consecutive games at Utah separated by a two-day break. The first game is on Saturday.

The Mavericks host the Lakers on Sunday with LeBron James sayinghe was disappointed his team didn’t acquire Irving at the trade deadline.