Kyrie Irving Leads Mavericks Past Jazz, Extends Hot Streak Without Luka Dončić

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Irving, who has averaged 25.7 points, 6.5 assists, and 5.3 rebounds in six games without Luka Dončić this season, came up big in the fourth quarter to seal the win. With Dončić missing his fifth straight game due to a right wrist sprain, the Mavericks leaned on Irving’s leadership and timely shot-making to secure their seventh victory in eight games. Klay Thompson (left plantar fascia) and Danté Exum (right wrist surgery) both remained sidelined.

“When it got close, I knew it was time to lock in,” Irving said. “We’ve learned from earlier games this season where we didn’t finish strong. Tonight, it was all about staying poised.”

Quentin Grimes added a season-high 24 points, including five three-pointers, while P.J. Washington contributed 16 points and a team-high 11 rebounds. Daniel Gafford provided a critical spark off the bench, scoring 14 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, while Spencer Dinwiddie dished out 10 assists, facilitating the offense effectively. Dereck Lively II added crucial interior stability on both ends of the floor with 6 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists.

“We knew we owed them one,” Washington said. “Last time we were here, we felt like we should’ve come out with a win. Tonight, we made sure to close it out.”

A Tale of Two Quarters

The Mavericks came out firing in the first quarter, showcasing one of the season’s most explosive offensive displays. They scored 40 points and tied their fourth-highest total this year, fueled by an incredible shooting display from Grimes. He scored 17 points in the first half, hitting four of his five three-pointers in the opening frame. Dallas shot 9-for-13 from beyond the arc and moved the ball effectively, with Irving dishing out five assists in the quarter.

“My teammates kept finding me,” Grimes said. “When they give me the green light like that, it’s all about staying in the flow and making good decisions.”

Dallas also saw contributions from Dereck Lively II, who pulled down seven rebounds and finished with six points on 3-of-4 shooting in his 23 minutes. Lively added four assists, showcasing his ability to keep the offense moving from the post, and his defensive presence helped limit Walker Kessler’s impact early.

But after building a commanding advantage, the Mavericks’ offense stalled in the second quarter. They scored just 16 points, marking their lowest output in a single period this season. Poor shooting plagued the team as they went 6-for-18 from the field and just 1-for-8 from beyond the arc. A once-fluid offense became stagnant, with Dallas settling for contested shots.

“The way we started, the ball was moving, we were attacking, and we made a lot of threes,” head coach Jason Kidd said. “After that, it turned into a three-point contest, which we didn’t win—unfortunately and fortunately. We’ve got to be better.”

The Jazz capitalized, going on a 12-2 run that bridged the first and second quarters, led by Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler. By halftime, Utah had trimmed Dallas’ lead to 56-46, with momentum swinging toward the home team.

Dallas Regains Control in the Third Quarter

The Mavericks adjusted after halftime, relying on Irving and Washington to stabilize the offense and restore their rhythm. After a stagnant second quarter, Dallas found more balance, combining perimeter shooting with interior scoring to counter Utah’s comeback attempt. This occurred despite Naji Marshall not playing after halftime due to an upper respiratory illness.

Irving scored 10 of his 30 points in the third quarter, including a timely three-pointer that pushed the lead back to 12 with 3:10 remaining. Washington added 8 points, including second-chance opportunities and strong finishes at the rim, while also providing energy on the defensive end and the boards.

Gafford was also instrumental in the quarter, using his athleticism to protect the rim and clean up the glass. Gafford finished with a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds, including three offensive boards that extended crucial possessions.

The Mavericks also tightened their defense, limiting the Jazz to 22 points in the period by contesting shots more effectively and improving their rebounding. Lively and Gafford anchored the paint, while Dinwiddie and Grimes helped disrupt Utah’s ball movement. Dinwiddie’s floor generalship was on display throughout the game, as he finished with seven points and a team-high 10 assists.

“After halftime, we knew we had to lock back in,” Washington said. “We let them get too close, but we refocused and made sure we didn’t let our foot off the gas.”

Irving Closes the Door

The Jazz made one final push in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to 87-82 with 7:25 remaining. The home crowd roared, sensing a potential comeback, but Irving silenced them with one decisive stretch. He knocked down a three-pointer to halt Utah’s momentum, intercepted a pass, and found Grimes for a layup to extend the lead back to double digits at 92-82. This sequence exemplified Irving’s ability to thrive in high-pressure moments.

“When it got close, I knew it was time to lock in,” Irving said. “We’ve learned from earlier games this season where we didn’t finish strong. Tonight, it was all about staying poised.”

Irving also reflected on the team’s growth in late-game execution. “Early in the season, we were letting some games slip away because of mistakes—whether it was turnovers, defensive lapses, or just not talking enough out there. We’ve really emphasized staying connected and holding each other accountable in those moments. That’s been the difference lately, just trusting one another and executing as a unit.”

Kidd praised Irving’s leadership. “He’s been incredible—calm under pressure and making all the right reads,” Kidd said. “That’s the Kyrie effect.”

Revenge Win for Dallas

The Mavericks, who lost to the Jazz 115-113 on Nov. 14 after a defensive lapse in the closing seconds, flipped the script in Saturday’s rematch. Outscoring the Jazz 20-12 over the final seven minutes, Dallas secured the win and took a 2-1 lead in the season series.

“This was a great team effort,” Kidd said. “It shows how much we’ve grown since that loss.”

Defensively, the Mavericks limited Utah to 35.8% shooting from the field and controlled the glass, finishing with a 48-43 rebounding advantage. Dallas also forced 15 turnovers, which they converted into 16 points. With another night of balanced scoring, it was a solid victory on the road.

Up Next

The Mavericks will conclude their back-to-back set on Sunday against the Portland Trail Blazers, where Dončić could return. Meanwhile, the Jazz host the Los Angeles Lakers as they try to rebound from their eighth loss in nine games.

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