Mavericks Overcome Adversity, Kyrie Irving’s Fourth-Quarter Heroics Fuel Victory Over Hawks

Irving, battling his own illness, delivered a masterclass in the fourth quarter, scoring 16 of his game-high 32 points to propel the Mavericks to their fifth win in six games. His late-game brilliance capped a 2-1 road trip for Dallas, now 10-8 on the season. He never considered sitting out, even though he could have.

“It didn’t cross my mind at all,” Irving said. “I was just thinking about being there for my guys as much as they’re there for me.”

Overcoming Early Struggles and Building Momentum

The content below was originally paywalled.

The Mavericks faced adversity from the outset, committing eight turnovers in the first quarter and falling behind by as many as 13 points. Atlanta capitalized on Dallas’ miscues, with Jalen Johnson scoring 10 of his 28 points in the opening frame to help the Hawks build a 31-28 lead. However, Dallas clawed back behind the energy of Naji Marshall, whose buzzer-beating three-pointer at the end of the quarter trimmed the deficit to three and gave the Mavericks momentum.

Irving struggled to find his rhythm early, shooting just 3-of-10 from the field in the first half as the Mavericks shot 44% overall. Spencer Dinwiddie acknowledged the slow start but emphasized the team’s resilience.

“When you turn it over that much in one quarter, you’re usually digging yourself a hole,” Dinwiddie said. “But we stuck together, focused on getting stops, and didn’t let it spiral out of control.”

The Mavericks tightened up defensively in the second quarter, forcing more challenging shots and limiting second-chance opportunities. P.J. Washington and Gafford provided a presence in the paint, and Marshall’s aggressive play continued to spark the team. He finished the half with seven of his 22 points, helping Dallas stay within striking distance as they trailed 67-61 at halftime.

“Sometimes you get caught up in a single game,” head coach Jason Kidd said. “But this is a marathon. We’ve talked about finding rhythm, understanding roles, and playing for one another. Tonight, I thought we saw that as the game went on.”

Jaden Hardy delivered a timely performance when he made his first start in place of Dončić this season. He scored 15 of his season-high 23 points before halftime, attacking the rim and creating defensive opportunities with 3 steals.

“I wanted to step up for the team,” Hardy said. “They needed somebody to play with pace, attack, and find open guys. That’s what I tried to bring tonight.”

Mavericks Bounce Back Strongly After Halftime

The Mavericks came out of halftime trailing but ready to adjust. With Lively ruled out for the second half, Daniel Gafford stepped into the starting center role and immediately impacted, providing crucial rebounds and defensive stops to stabilize the paint. Along with Maxi Kleber, the frontcourt provided a needed boost.

“Yeah, I thought Gaff did an incredible job protecting the rim and giving us second opportunities if he wasn’t finishing himself,” Kidd explained. “He went on a long stretch and held his ground. I thought Maxi did a great job tagging in for him. He rebounded, had a big block, and even made some key playmaking decisions. He turned down a shot to get a dunk and had a put-back layup. I thought Maxi’s minutes were great, especially with Dereck going out due to illness.”

Dallas also cut down on turnovers, committing only two in the third quarter after eight in the first. Defensively, the Mavericks held Atlanta to just 10 points in the paint for the period, a stark contrast to the 34 points allowed in the first half.

Hardy remained aggressive, driving to the basket and hitting timely jumpers. At the same time, Dinwiddie added steady scoring, including a critical three-pointer that cut Atlanta’s lead to one midway through the quarter. Kyrie Irving, who had been quiet early, began to find his rhythm with pull-up jumpers and precise playmaking.

“Jaden was aggressive, and he played with confidence, which was huge,” Dinwiddie said. “That kind of energy helps everyone.”

By the end of the third, Dallas had outscored Atlanta 35-28 to take a narrow 96-95 lead. The combination of Gafford’s interior presence, Hardy’s offense, and the team’s defensive adjustments set the stage for a strong finish.

Irving’s Fourth-Quarter Takeover

Trailing 104-103 early in the fourth quarter, Irving erupted for 16 points in the final frame, hitting six of eight shots, including four of five from beyond the arc, to turn a one-point deficit into a commanding lead. His back-to-back three-pointers ignited the Mavericks’ bench and silenced the Atlanta crowd, pushing Dallas to a 114-107 advantage. His fourth triple extended the lead to 118-109 with just over five minutes remaining, effectively putting the Hawks on their heels.

“About time some of those shots went in,” Irving said. “A lot of shots I took in the first half were short—I was just missing some easy bunnies. It’s easy to get frustrated, which I was. But as a human being, you just have to feel those emotions, stay present, and deal with the results.”

Irving’s late-game heroics were not just about his scoring but also his ability to control the pace and create opportunities for teammates. Whether threading a pass to an open teammate or drawing defenders to open up driving lanes, Irving’s decision-making was as sharp as his shooting. His impact energized his team and lifted the Mavericks during the game’s most critical moments.

“I really leaned back on the work—late nights and working with Sham [assistant coach God Shammgod] before the game to make sure my confidence was high,” Irving added. “A lot of the guys on the bench, especially Kieff [Markieff Morris], Naji, and P.J. stayed communicative and had my back. I just had to keep being aggressive. When I’m aggressive, it helps them too.”

Kidd marveled at Irving’s resilience, especially considering the illness that had affected him during the Mavericks’ three-city road trip. “Exhausted is the key word,” Kidd said. “This was a weird road trip—Denver, Miami, and here. We’ve asked a lot of him on both ends of the floor, especially being shorthanded. He could have sat out, but he fought through it.”

Irving’s performance also drew admiration from his teammates. “When he’s in that zone, it’s special to watch,” said Dinwiddie. “Kyrie’s ability to flip a game like that inspires everyone on the floor.”

The Hawks struggled to find an answer for Irving’s offensive outburst, with Trae Young and Atlanta’s defense scrambling to contest his off-the-dribble shots and deep pull-ups. By the time Irving drove to the basket for a layup that stretched the Mavericks’ lead to 129-119 in the final minute, his dominance had effectively sealed the game.

Defensive Effort and Balanced Contributions

While Irving’s fourth-quarter takeover dominated the narrative, the Mavericks’ defensive resilience and balanced scoring effort proved equally vital in securing the win. Washington anchored the paint with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks, including a pivotal chase-down block on Young in the final minute.

With Lively sidelined after halftime, Gafford stepped into the starting center role for the second half and delivered a gritty performance. Gafford nearly had a double-double with 10 points and 9 rebounds, and blocked two shots, providing a steady presence in the paint as Dallas out-rebounded Atlanta 51-39.

Four Mavericks scored 20 or more points for the first time this season, showcasing the team’s depth. Naji Marshall added 22 points on an efficient 9-of-12 shooting night, while Hardy’s 23-point performance included crucial moments early in the game when Dallas struggled offensively. Dinwiddie chipped in with 22 points and shot 4-of-7 from three, playing a critical role in stabilizing the offense.

“Everyone stepped up,” Irving said. “We’re showing the resilience we’ll need throughout the season.”

The Mavericks’ bench also contributed meaningfully, with Kleber recording 7 points and 7 rebounds in under 20 minutes and Jazian Gortman providing energetic defense during key stretches. The collective effort helped Dallas limit Atlanta to just 24 points in the fourth quarter while dominating the boards and controlling the pace.

Kidd praised the team’s adaptability. “These moments build character,” he said. “Whether it’s injuries or foul trouble, this group has shown it can respond.”

Another night of balanced contributions and Irving’s late-game brilliance produced a complete team effort that bodes well for Dallas as they navigate injuries and illnesses to multiple starters and role players.

Looking Ahead

The Mavericks, now 3-1 without Dončić this season, return home to face the New York Knicks on Wednesday. The Slovenian superstar is set to be re-evaluated the same day, leaving his status uncertain.

“It was good. Decent,” Irving said of the road trip. “We’ve still got a game on Wednesday, so it’s hard to fully celebrate these wins. We’ll do that on the plane, get back home, get some rest, and get ready for the Knicks.”

Kidd reflected on the team’s growth through adversity. “These moments are tough, but they’re building us for what’s ahead,” he said. “When we’re at full strength, these battles will pay off.”

Tipoff for Wednesday’s matchup against the Knicks is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT at American Airlines Center, with ESPN broadcasting.

Support DallasHoopsJournal.com

As an independent Dallas Mavericks reporter, it helps when you sign up for a premium membership to read my most in-depth content. The cost is $10 per month or $100 annually.

Follow on Other Platforms

For more Mavs, NBA, and WNBA coverage, follow Grant Afseth on X, Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. Be sure to subscribe on YouTube for content throughout the 2024-25 season.