The Los Angeles Lakers secured their place in the NBA Cup knockout round with a decisive 129119 victory against the Dallas Mavericks. This win, achieved on Friday, marked the Lakers’ perfect record in group play, finishing 40 in West Group B.
Lakers’ Performance Highlights
Austin Reaves led the Lakers with an impressive 38 points and eight rebounds. Other notable contributions came from Deandre Ayton, who added 17 points and eight rebounds, while LeBron James chipped in 13 points and seven assists.
- Austin Reaves: 38 points, 8 rebounds
- Deandre Ayton: 17 points, 8 rebounds
- LeBron James: 13 points, 7 assists
Luka Doncic faced his former team, scoring 35 points and providing 11 assists. His performance improved his record against the Mavericks to 30 since his trade from Dallas in February.
Mavericks’ Struggles
The Mavericks, eliminated from playoff contention, finished group play with a 13 record. P.J. Washington stood out for Dallas with 22 points and nine rebounds. Anthony Davis, playing on his former home court, added 12 points following a lengthy injury layoff.
- P.J. Washington: 22 points, 9 rebounds
- Anthony Davis: 12 points
Ryan Nembhard scored 17 points, while Naji Marshall and former Laker Max Christie chipped in 16 and 13 points, respectively. The Mavericks grabbed a temporary lead in the fourth quarter at 110109 thanks to a floater from Davis.
Key Moments of the Game
The Lakers countered decisively, executing an 80 run that culminated in a threepointer from Rui Hachimura, putting them ahead 117110. The team eventually extended their run to 131, solidifying a 122111 advantage with just over four minutes left.
Shooting Stats
The Lakers excelled in shooting, starting with a strong third quarter where they outscored the Mavericks 3832. They finished shooting 59.2% overall, highlighting their offensive efficiency.
| Quarter | Lakers Score | Mavericks Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 28 | 30 |
| 2nd | 32 | 40 |
| 3rd | 38 | 32 |
| 4th | 31 | 17 |
With this victory, the Lakers continue to build momentum as they head into the knockout rounds of the NBA Cup. Meanwhile, the Mavericks will seek to regroup after a challenging group stage.