Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving Shine as Mavericks Hold Off Raptors for Seventh Straight Win

Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving propelled the Dallas Mavericks to a 125-118 win over the Toronto Raptors on Thursday night, extending their winning streak to seven games—their longest since the 2010-11 championship season. With their 11th win in their last 12 games, the Mavericks improved to 16-8, holding the Western Conference’s second-best winning percentage (.667).

Dončić recorded his second consecutive triple-double, finishing with game-highs in points (30), rebounds (13), and assists (11). It marked the 56th triple-double of his career, moving him past Wilt Chamberlain and James Harden for seventh place on the NBA’s all-time list. Since returning from a right wrist sprain, he’s averaged 31.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 9.5 assists. Notably, he’s shot 50.6% from the floor and 42.9% from the perimeter on 10.5 attempts per game.

“Just playing basketball the way I play,” Dončić said. “We shared the ball, and even when they came back, we stayed together. That was a big thing.”

Irving complemented Dončić’s performance with 29 points, hitting a season-high six three-pointers and delivering a 16-point first quarter. Over his last seven games, Irving has scored at least 20 points in six outings and averaged 23.5 points while shooting an efficient 49.9% from the field, 45.7% from three-point range, and 87.7% from the free throw line.

“It was just time of possessions,” Irving said. “We needed to get a great shot up, but I felt like we were moving the basketball really well. When my number is called, I try to be efficient.”

Commanding the First Half

Dallas asserted control early, building a 70-54 halftime lead with strong performances from Dončić and Irving, who combined 37 points in the opening two quarters. Irving’s 16-point first quarter set the tone, as he drilled three consecutive three-pointers during a personal scoring run.

“He set the tone of, ‘We’re not here to mess around,’” head coach Jason Kidd said. “Kyrie was in a groove in the first quarter, and it showed.”

Dončić added his usual flair to the first half, showcasing his elite passing. He connected with Daniel Gafford for a lob dunk in transition and found Klay Thompson for a corner three. His most spectacular moment came at the buzzer, when he banked in a one-handed shot while fading to his left, sending Dallas into the locker room with a 16-point lead.

“When you talk about Luka, his passing ability is one of the best, if not the best, in the league,” Kidd said. “He knows where everybody is on the floor, and that makes a huge difference.”

Dallas Mavericks Depth and Chemistry on Display

The Mavericks’ success wasn’t limited to their stars. Six players scored in double figures, a recurring theme during their recent stretch of dominance. It marked the 10th time in the last 11 games that Dallas has had six or more double-digit players. Klay Thompson finished with 20 points, his third 20-point performance of the season. P.J. Washington added 13 points, while Spencer Dinwiddie (11) and Gafford (10) also met the mark.

“It’s Klay Thompson, so it’s kind of easy,” Dončić said. “It’s easier out there. They’re not going to leave him alone, so it’s more space for me, for Kai. And when they help, he’s going to knock it down.”

The team’s depth has been a key factor in sustaining momentum during their seven-game winning streak. Kidd pointed to the contributions of players up and down the roster. “We have beautiful depth,” Kidd said. “The guys off the bench continue to make an impact.”

Toronto Raptors Rally Late

The Raptors struggled early but found ways to stay competitive behind standout performances from several key players. Gradey Dick led Toronto with 27 points, shooting 5-of-14 from deep, while Scottie Barnes nearly notched a triple-double with 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 14 assists. Jakob Poeltl provided an efficient interior presence, finishing with 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting and grabbing 7 rebounds.

Dallas appeared to be cruising after building a 24-point lead midway through the third quarter. However, the Raptors mounted a furious rally in the fourth, fueled by Scottie Barnes’ scoring and timely three-pointers from Dick and Jonathan Mogbo. Toronto cut the deficit to six points with under two minutes to play, putting the Mavericks on their heels.

“It’s the NBA; teams are going to make runs,” Irving said. “We missed some easy ones, and they hit tough shots. But I’m proud of how we rose to the occasion.”

Toronto outscored Dallas 42-28 in the fourth quarter, fueled by Barnes’ playmaking and timely three-pointers from Dick and Jonathan Mogbo. Kelly Olynyk added 13 points on a perfect shooting night (3-of-3 from three, 4-of-4 from the free-throw line).

Dereck Lively II provided a critical defensive presence in crunch time, recording two blocks in the final minutes. His most pivotal play came with just over a minute remaining when the officiating crew overturned a potential goaltending call into a legal block that preserved the Mavericks’ lead.

“It was a great block,” Dončić said. “We knew it was going to be good for us, but I think he had two blocks in a row. That was huge from Lively.”

Kidd echoed Dončić’s sentiments, saying, “Those plays gave us the edge we needed. It was huge.”

The Mavericks sealed the game at the free-throw line, going 32-of-37 (86.5%) for the night. Irving and Washington knocked down clutch free throws late, ensuring the team’s composure in a tense finish.

“The game got close, but nobody panicked,” Kidd said. “Everybody stepped up, made their free throws, got stops, and we moved on.”

Momentum Amid Challenges

The Mavericks’ impressive stretch of basketball has come amid a grueling schedule. Over the past month, Dallas has spent significant time on the road, with only three brief stops at home. Despite the constant travel and injuries, the team has maintained a level of play that has made them one of the hottest teams in the league. Dallas achieved this victory with Naji Marshall and Maxi Kleber out due to illness, while Danté Exum (right wrist surgery) and Jaden Hardy (right ankle sprain) were also out.

“I think it’s pretty impressive,” Dončić said. “We don’t complain—it’s our job. But to play this well when we’ve been away for so many days shows a lot about this team.”

Irving highlighted the team’s collective focus during this stretch. “We’ve just been playing fearless,” he said. “There’s been carryover game to game, and we’ve been figuring out our weaknesses while building on our strengths. When everybody eats, we’re tough to stop.”

Kidd praised the team’s resilience as they’ve navigated their schedule. “It’s been a lot of travel, but the guys have done an incredible job,” Kidd said. “To win 11 out of 12 in the Western Conference is really impressive.”

Olivier-Maxence Prosper Gets Minutes

The Mavericks utilized their native Canadians, Dwight Powell and Olivier-Maxence Prosper, in the matchup against the Raptors. While neither has been a consistent part of the rotation this season, Prosper made the most of his opportunity, finishing with 5 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block in just 10 minutes of action. He also knocked down a catch-and-shoot three off a feed from Dončić. Powell contributed 1 rebound in 3 minutes of play.

Kidd praised Prosper’s energy and effort: “He was great. We talked about him pregame, and he made an incredible impact with the time he had on the floor. Defensively, offensively—he did everything we asked.”

Irving, an advocate for Prosper, also commended his performance: “I’m proud of him. Coming back home and playing in front of family is emotional, and he handled it really well. He made great plays, extended the lead, and brought energy. I’m happy as a vet to see him grow and take advantage of meaningful minutes.”

Both players’ contributions resonated with the Mavericks’ emphasis on depth and team effort, reinforcing their “next man up” mentality.

Looking Ahead

The Mavericks turn their attention to Tuesday’s NBA Cup Quarterfinal against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Dallas will look to carry its momentum into the single-elimination tournament, where a win would push them into the semifinals in Las Vegas.

“We know OKC well, and we’re looking forward to the competition,” Irving said. “They’re playing amazing basketball right now, and we know we’ll get their best shot.”

Kidd added, “The schedule doesn’t stop, but this is what we signed up for. This group has done an incredible job, and we’ll be ready.”

With their stars firing on all cylinders, their depth producing consistently, and their chemistry peaking, the Mavericks appear poised to contend for both the NBA Cup and a top spot in the Western Conference standings.