NBA roundup: Mavericks defeat Warriors in record-breaking clash
Luka Doncic delivered an impressive triple-double, scoring 45 points, providing 13 assists, and securing 11 rebounds, leading the Dallas Mavericks to a 143-133 victory over the Golden State Warriors in a record-breaking NBA encounter on Sunday.
The matchup saw the Mavericks and Warriors set a new NBA single-game record with a total of 48 three-pointers made, surpassing the previous record by four. Golden State converted 27 of their 54 attempts from beyond the arc, while Dallas successfully made 21 of their 41 three-point shots.
"No team could miss. They had 18 threes at halftime and we were still ahead, which is insane," Doncic remarked.
"It felt like nobody could miss. It was an enjoyable game with a lot of successful shots. However, it was also a physically demanding game."
Doncic achieved 16 successful field goals out of 23 attempts, including 6 out of 11 from three-point range. The 25-year-old Slovenian guard also contributed three steals and two blocks, marking his ninth career triple-double with at least 40 points.
"The guy never ceases to amaze me," commented teammate Klay Thompson.
"He never rushes and plays at his own rhythm. He made 45 points look effortless."
The remarkable three-point shooting defined the game, shattering the previous record of 44 combined three-pointers in an NBA game, which was established in February 2023 by Sacramento and the Los Angeles Clippers, and matched just two nights prior by Phoenix and Utah.
The Mavericks, who have now won eight of their last nine games, and the Warriors collectively set a first-half NBA record with 30 three-pointers, concluding the half with Dallas leading 81-74.
In the first half, Dallas made 12 of 25 attempts from three-point range, while the Warriors matched an NBA record with 18 three-pointers in a single half, achieving this on 32 attempts.
The climax of the game came when former Warrior Thompson made the record-breaking 45th combined three-pointer with 4:32 left in the fourth quarter, assisted by Doncic.
"I have a great history of shooting well here, so I try to draw on that every time I return," Thompson stated.
Thompson achieved a season-high of 29 points, including 12 in the final quarter, successfully making 9 of 14 attempts from the field and 7 of 11 from beyond the arc against a team with which he has secured four NBA championships.
"Legendary performance. Now it is time to create some legendary moments in Dallas," he remarked.
"I have complete faith in this team. We possess all the necessary elements to accomplish something remarkable."
LeBron Returns as Lakers Triumph
LeBron James made a successful comeback after sitting out two games due to a sore left foot, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 116-110 victory over Memphis, thereby ending the Grizzlies' four-game winning streak.
Anthony Davis was the standout for the Lakers, scoring 40 points and securing 16 rebounds, while James, the oldest active player in the NBA who will turn 40 on December 30, contributed 18 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists.
Jayson Tatum led the defending NBA champions, the Boston Celtics, with 28 points and 12 rebounds in their 112-98 win over the league's bottom team, Washington. However, an injury to Kristaps Porzingis overshadowed the celebration of the road victory.
Porzingis, a 29-year-old Latvian center who had previously missed the first month of the season due to left ankle surgery, played only 11 minutes before exiting with right heel pain in the second quarter.
This season, Porzingis has participated in just seven games, averaging 20.3 points and 7.8 rebounds.
The Wizards' record fell to 3-21, while Boston improved to 21-5, ranking second in the NBA behind Cleveland (22-4).
In Orlando, the New York Knicks handed the Magic their first home loss of the season, with Jalen Brunson scoring 31 points and Karl-Anthony Towns contributing 22 points and 22 rebounds in a 100-91 victory.
Orlando's Mo Wagner led all scorers with 32 points, but the team’s home record dropped to 10-1.
In San Antonio, Minnesota's Anthony Edwards scored 26 points, leading the Timberwolves to a 106-92 win over the Spurs.
French sensation Victor Wembanyama topped the Spurs' scoring with 20 points, along with 12 rebounds and five assists.
The Phoenix Suns secured a victory over Portland with Devin Booker scoring 28 points and Kevin Durant adding 20, resulting in a final.
In Indianapolis, Pascal Siakam contributed 22 points, guiding the Indiana Pacers to a victory against New Orleans with a final score of 119-104.
The Pacers acquired center Thomas Bryant from Miami through a trade, while the Brooklyn Nets traded German guard Dennis Schroder to Golden State in exchange for forward De'Anthony Melton.
SportsLigue