Luka Dončić Guides Mavericks to Dominant Victory Over Shorthanded Magic

Luka Dončić scores 32 as the Mavericks stifle the Magic 108-85 with a dominant defensive performance, holding Orlando under 90 points for the first time this season.

Photo via Dallas Mavericks

DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks extended their strong start to the season Sunday night with a commanding 108-85 victory over the Orlando Magic in a defensive showcase that underscored the team’s evolving identity under head coach Jason Kidd. Now 4-2, the Mavericks held the Magic under 90 points, a defensive milestone they didn’t reach once last season.

Luka Dončić led Dallas with 32 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, setting the tone early and propelling the Mavericks to a win that marked their 12th straight home victory over Orlando, dating back to Dallas’s 2010-11 championship season.

Dončić’s Dominant Start

Playing the entire first quarter, Dončić scored 25 points by halftime on 9-of-15 shooting, including five three-pointers. His relentless energy helped the Mavericks take a commanding 65-40 lead by halftime.

“Just be myself, play basketball, have fun out there,” Dončić said. “Today was real fun. We were guarding everybody, defending, rebounding, and playing with a lot of pace. That’s fun for me.”