Third-Quarter Surge Propels Mavericks Past Shorthanded Spurs to End Losing Streak

Returning home after a grueling three-game road trip, the Mavericks took advantage of a Spurs team playing without Victor Wembanyama, dominating in the paint and pulling away with a massive third-quarter surge. The victory improved Dallas’ record to 6-7, while the Spurs dropped to 6-8.

A Competitive First Half

The first half of the game was a back-and-forth battle. Dallas started strong, opening with an 11-4 run fueled by crisp offensive execution and defensive rebounding. However, San Antonio quickly answered with an 8-0 run, showcasing Zach Collins’ activity inside and Stephon Castle’s perimeter play.

The content below was originally paywalled.

The Mavericks’ struggles defending the paint and closing out on shooters allowed the Spurs to close the first quarter on a 12-4 run. Luka Dončić’s foul against a three-point shooter with 0.2 seconds remaining gave San Antonio a slim lead, ending the quarter up 26-23. The Spurs ultimately led by as many as eight points, but couldn’t maintain an advantage before the game was broken open by Dallas after the break.

Jason Kidd used the early Spurs runs as teaching moments, making adjustments that paid off in the second quarter. The Mavericks regained control with a 14-5 run sparked by Kyrie Irving’s playmaking and Daniel Gafford’s interior presence.

Irving orchestrated fast-break opportunities, while Gafford provided timely finishes and strong defense. Dončić, while quieter offensively in the first half, contributed key assists to help Dallas regain the lead. By halftime, the Mavericks held a narrow 55-51 edge, setting the stage for their second-half dominance.

Mavericks Break Away Using Third-Quarter Surge

The Mavericks came out of the locker room with a renewed sense of urgency, completely dominating the third quarter. Dallas outscored San Antonio 38-18 during the period, shooting 59.1% from the field while holding the Spurs to a dismal 22.7%.

The defensive intensity from the Mavericks stifled San Antonio’s rhythm, and the team capitalized on transition opportunities and efficient half-court offense.

The turning point came in the final seven minutes of the quarter when Dallas went on a 27-9 run to break the game wide open. Irving and Gafford spearheaded the effort, combining for 23 points during the frame. Irving’s versatility as both a scorer and facilitator was on full display, while Gafford energized the crowd with a thunderous one-handed dunk over Zach Collins.

“Our third quarter was our best defensive quarter this game,” Dončić said. “That’s how we need to play every night. That was on me that last game. Just trying to make it right.”

Daniel Gafford Delivers Career-Best Stretch

Gafford turned in his most impactful performance of the season, finishing with a season-high 22 points on 9-of-10 shooting, along with seven rebounds and three blocks. This marked his sixth consecutive game scoring in double figures, tying a career-long streak. Gafford’s presence in the paint on both ends was instrumental in the Mavericks’ success.

“It feels good to be able to get back to the physicality that I want to play with,” Gafford said. “I feel like I’ve lacked in that area, so being able to do something like that, just rebound a lot better, is something that I’m trying to hold myself accountable for to better help the team.”

Jason Kidd praised Gafford’s performance, highlighting his efficiency and defensive impact. “He was great on defense and offense,” Kidd said. “His ability to change shots, rebound the ball, and offensively we played through him in the post, and he delivered.”

Gafford also expressed his appreciation for being trusted in the post, noting how it has helped build his confidence and expand his impact offensively.

“I just feel like I can build on it, just really having patience,” Gafford said. “I appreciate them for having the faith in me and putting me in that position, and I feel like I actually got the job done there.”

Kyrie Irving Returns and Leads the Charge

Irving’s return from a one-game absence due to a shoulder strain gave the Mavericks the steady leadership they needed. He finished with 22 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals, providing a calming influence in key moments. Irving scored 11 of his points during the third quarter as he helped Dallas pull away.

One of Irving’s most memorable plays came in the second quarter when he initiated a fast break with a full-court pass to Naji Marshall, then cut to the rim and lofted a perfect alley-oop to Gafford. The sequence brought the crowd to its feet, with Dončić showing his appreciation from the bench.

Marshall shot just 2-of-9 from the floor, but his aggressive drives, along with Quentin Grimes, helped open up the offense. Marshall totaled 6 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. Meanwhile, Grimes added 5 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists.

“He’s one of those guys that has some type of gravity pull towards him,” Gafford said of Marshall. “Whenever it’s him driving to the basket, it makes the job easier for guys on the back end because he finds them.”

Jaden Hardy had a strong performance off the bench with 12 points, while adding 3 rebounds and 1 assist. “Jaden was great. He’s been working hard, and tonight he stepped up,” Kidd said. “He gave us scoring, energy, and confidence off the bench, and that’s exactly what we need from him.”

Continually Changing Frontcourt Rotation

Maxi Kleber, starting at power forward as P.J. Washington works back from injury, contributed 6 points, 6 rebounds, and steady defensive energy in 23 minutes. Kidd lauded Kleber’s professionalism and ability to adapt, particularly while the team manages multiple players on minutes restrictions. Washington went scoreless in 19 minutes, but added 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals.

“Maxi has been great, starting at the four,” Kidd said. “Just the rebound and the energy. He’s taking shots when he’s open, but he’s been great playing that starting role for us, also coming off an injury and coming back. His role will change as we get healthy here and we get some guys off minute restrictions. But, I think when you look at the four, we’re doing the same thing at the center position with the fours.

“We’re letting guys go for three or four minutes and then taking them out until we can get past the restrictions,” Kidd explained. “That’s just the way it’s going to have to be right now, and it’s going to probably be choppy where offensively we will struggle some and defensively we’ll struggle just because of the short amount of time guys are having.”

Defensive Dominance and Rebounding Edge

The Mavericks’ defense was key in holding the Spurs to just 93 points, matching San Antonio’s season-low output. Dallas dominated the glass, tying a season-high with 53 rebounds, which helped limit second-chance opportunities for the Spurs.

“Everybody just boxed out their own guy, got the rebound, and went,” Dončić said. “That was a big focus.”

The absence of Wembanyama was glaring for the Spurs, who had been averaging 23.7 points per game over his previous four contests, missed his first game of the season.

Without Wembanyama, Zach Collins stepped into the starting lineup and finished with a season-high 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Julian Champagnie added 13 points, all in the first half, while Sandro Mamukelashvili scored 14 off the bench, but San Antonio struggled to sustain its offense throughout the game.

“Victor’s absence changes the game,” Spurs interim coach Mitch Johnson said. “It’s an opportunity for other guys to step up, but it’s hard to replicate what he brings.”

Looking Ahead

The Mavericks will face a quick turnaround as they travel to Oklahoma City to take on the Thunder on Sunday night. Oklahoma City, boasting the best record in the Western Conference, will present a significant challenge for Dallas. Still, the Mavericks enter the matchup with renewed confidence after their first win in 10 days.

“It feels like the world is off our shoulders now,” Gafford said. “OKC is rolling right now. We’ve gotta come in with a good head on our shoulders. We know they’re not going to make it easy.”

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.