Luka Dončić Leads Mavericks’ Thrilling Comeback Over Grizzlies to Advance in NBA Cup Quarterfinals: 'We Showed Resilience'

Fueled by Luka Dončić’s brilliance, timely contributions from Spencer Dinwiddie and P.J. Washington, and a gritty defensive effort, the Mavericks clinched a spot in the NBA Cup quarterfinals, where they’ll face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder.

“We’ve won some close games and lost some close games, but tonight we showed resilience,” Dončić said. “We stayed together, kept trusting each other, and didn’t let the game slip away.”

Dončić Dominates Early, Grizzlies Surge After Halftime

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The Mavericks started strong, driven by Dončić’s electric first half. He scored 24 of his game-high 37 points before halftime, blending step-back threes with crafty finishes around the rim. His aggressive approach extended beyond scoring, as he grabbed 12 rebounds, dished 4 assists, and added 4 steals.

“Just being aggressive, shooting good shots, and trying to make my free throws,” Dončić said when asked about his approach in the first half. “This is a game of runs—every team will have their moment, especially a team like Memphis,” he explained. “They have great players, so we just had to stay in the game.”

Dončić’s energy was contagious as Dallas leaned on its stars to push the pace and attack the Grizzlies’ defense. However, Memphis refused to go away, using their physicality and athleticism to stay within striking distance. Jaren Jackson Jr. paced the Grizzlies with 14 of his 19 points before halftime, combining interior scoring with timely jumpers.

“They play extremely fast,” Kidd said. “This is kind of like Chicago or Portland—teams that are going to get out and make it a track meet. And they do it with some physicality.”

Despite Dončić’s heroics, the Mavericks took just a three-point lead into halftime, up 60-57. Memphis outrebounded Dallas in the first half, particularly on the offensive glass, which created second-chance opportunities to keep them close.

The momentum shifted dramatically in the third quarter. Memphis opened with a 12-0 run, powered by Ja Morant and Desmond Bane, to take a 69-60 lead. Morant, who finished with 31 points, sliced through Dallas’ defense for acrobatic layups and floaters, while Bane provided timely midrange and outside scoring.

The Mavericks, on the other hand, unraveled. They committed 10 turnovers in the third quarter, resulting in easy points for the Grizzlies. Additionally, Dallas went ice-cold from deep, missing all seven of their three-point attempts in the period.

“Our third quarter was bad—really bad,” Kidd said. “Turnovers, missed shots, and we lost focus. But credit to the group; they didn’t give up.”

By the end of the quarter, Memphis had outscored Dallas 38-22, turning a three-point halftime deficit into a commanding 95-82 lead. The Grizzlies appeared to be in full control as the Mavericks struggled to find answers on both ends of the floor.

The third quarter wasn’t just about Memphis’ offense; their defense tightened, forcing Dallas into rushed decisions and contested looks. The combination of their speed in transition and physicality in the half-court left the Mavericks on the ropes heading into the fourth quarter.

What followed was one of Dallas’ most memorable fourth-quarter comebacks of the season, sparked by resilience and a collective effort.

A Furious Fourth-Quarter Comeback

Facing a daunting deficit, the Mavericks flipped the script in the final period with one of their most complete quarters of the season. They outscored Memphis 39-21, fueled by lockdown defense, clutch shooting, and contributions from across the roster.

The turning point came with just over two minutes remaining. A Grizzlies challenge on an out-of-bounds play resulted in Dereck Lively II being fouled. Lively calmly sank both free throws, cutting Memphis’ lead to 111-108 and sparking a 16-3 run to close the game.

Dinwiddie then took over, hitting back-to-back three-pointers—one off a fast break, another on a swing-swing pass—to give Dallas a 116-111 lead with just over a minute remaining. “I saw guys in the paint, and I just shot with confidence,” he said. “The energy in the building was incredible, and it gave us a real push late.”

Washington delivered the dagger, draining a corner three-pointer with 26.1 seconds left to seal the victory. He finished with 18 points, 8 rebounds, and a team-high 7 assists, continuing his impressive run since returning from a knee injury.

“It’s not just with me—he fits with everyone,” Dončić said of Washington. “Like I said, he’s very vocal and always positive. Basketball-wise, he can do a little bit of everything. He probably guards the best player every night, rebounds, playmakes, scores. He had seven assists today and hit back-to-back big shots. We trust him completely.”

Dončić praised the team’s collective mentality for not allowing the third quarter to prevent them from rallying back and winning. “We never gave up,” he said. “In the fourth quarter, we stayed focused on getting stops and taking good shots. Everyone stepped up—Spence, P.J., Lively—it was a real team win.”

The Slovenian superstar emphasized the defensive intensity that shifted the game’s momentum while personally making it a point to further elevate his impact. “This season, I’ve been focused on improving my defense, and tonight it was key for us,” he said. “The whole team bought into that mindset in the fourth quarter, and that’s what made the difference.”

The fourth-quarter heroics showcased the Mavericks’ ability to win in challenging circumstances. They underscored their depth and unity—qualities that will be crucial as they continue their NBA Cup run.

Dončić’s Historic Night

In Dončić’s second game back from a five-game injury absence caused by a wrist sprain, he delivered another dynamic performance. His return provided 36 points and 13 assists and the Portland Trail Blazers, guiding a shorthanded Mavericks team to victory. He followed it up with another strong display against the Grizzlies.

Dončić long-range shooting was another highlight. His five made three-pointers brought him into a tie with Kyle Korver for 17th-most games in NBA history with at least five made threes (82). These triples proved vital in keeping Dallas within striking distance early, as this area mainly fueled Dončić’s 24-point first half.

Dončić’s 37 points were crucial in the Mavericks’ victory and historic in their significance. It marked his 105th career game with at least 35 points, the most by any player since his NBA debut in 2018. No one has consistently delivered high-scoring performances at this rate, with Joel Embiid trailing slightly at 103 such games in the same span. Dončić also tied Charles Barkley for the 18th-most 35-point double-doubles in league history.

Beyond the numbers, Dončić impact was felt in his leadership. During the Mavericks’ third-quarter struggles, he remained vocal, encouraging his teammates to stay engaged despite turnovers and missed opportunities.

Mavericks Overcome Challenges and Irving’s Off Night

While the Mavericks celebrated their depth and resilience, Kyrie Irving endured an uncharacteristic off night, scoring just 10 points on 3-of-14 shooting. Known for his ability to deliver in clutch moments, Irving struggled to find his rhythm. Still, he contributed in other ways, including a crucial assist to Spencer Dinwiddie for one of his game-changing three-pointers in the fourth quarter.

“He’s still Kyrie. He trusts us to pick him up on nights like this because he’s always picking us up,” Lively said. “We lean on him for guidance and leadership, but sometimes we’ve got to give him a break and take some of the load off him. He’s been doing so much for us, so it’s on us to step up.”

Dončić praised Irving’s impact in other areas outside of scoring, saying, ”I know everybody here looks just the shots. He did more things. It’s not only about the shots. Sometimes they’re gonna fall sometimes not. It’s quite a lot of times, yes, but he did a lot of other stuff.”

Despite Irving’s struggles, Dallas leaned on its resilience and collective effort to pull out the win. The Mavericks committed a season-high 25 turnovers and missed 14 free throws, yet still found a way to secure the victory. It was the first time since 2014 that a Dallas team won a game with at least 25 turnovers, an unusual feat that underscored their determination.

Dallas also attacked relentlessly, earning 44 free-throw attempts—their most in regulation since 2019. While they shot just 68.2% from the line, their aggressiveness in getting to the rim kept them in the game, especially during their fourth-quarter comeback.

“I’ve never seen a game like that,” Dončić said with a laugh. “But we stayed together and made the plays we needed to.”

The Mavericks’ ability to overcome these challenges reflected their growth and ability to fight through adversity, no matter the circumstances. This is the type of resolve required for a team aspiring to win a championship.

The Return of Lively and Thompson

Part of the Mavericks’ success came from reinforcements. Returning after missing a game with a hyperextended knee, Lively provided his usual energy around the rim. He finished with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks, anchoring Dallas on both ends of the floor. Daniel Gafford returned to a bench role and chipped in 11 points and 4 rebounds.

“Being in positions like that, you’ve got to step up,” Lively said after calmly sinking two key free throws in the fourth quarter. “It’s about staying locked in and trusting the work you’ve put in.”

Thompson, who had been sidelined for four games with left foot plantar fasciitis, played on a 20-minute restriction but helped stabilize the Mavericks’ lineup. Though he finished with just 4 points, his veteran presence added much-needed depth to the rotation. Quentin Grimes returned to a bench role, adding 8 points and 2 rebounds and plenty of quality defense.

Naji Marshall, who has missed a few games due to illness, remained sidelined but was supportive on the bench throughout the game. Danté Exum was the other inactive player for Dallas as he continues to recover from wrist surgery.

Looking Ahead: NBA Cup Quarterfinals

With the win, the Mavericks improved to 14-8 on the season, extended their winning streak to five games, and are winners of nine of their last 10 games. They’ll now face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Cup quarterfinals, with a chance to advance to the semifinals in Las Vegas.

“These games are meaningful,” Kidd said. “It’s a long season, but the group is learning and becoming a team on this journey.”

Before facing the Thunder, the Mavericks will embark on a two-game Eastern Conference road trip, with matchups against the Washington Wizards and Toronto Raptors.

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