Doncic gala for the Mavericks
Lakers overrun Clippers with a brilliant run
February 29, 2024, 4:53 p.m
For the last time before the Los Angeles Clippers move into their own hall, there will be a city derby against the Lakers. Everything points to a farewell victory. But then LeBron James and Co turn up the heat. Luka Doncic shines once again for the Dallas Mavericks.
Another win for the Dallas Mavericks: Led by superstar Luka Doncic, the Texans won 136:125 against the Toronto Raptors and underlined their play-off ambitions with success number 34 in the current NBA season. While national player Maxi Kleber did not play for the Mavs, who had recently lost twice, Doncic shone with a triple double on his 25th birthday.
World champion Daniel Theis, however, narrowly missed out on a victory. With his Los Angeles Clippers, the German center (nine points) was still leading by 19 points before the last quarter, before the Los Angeles Lakers led by basketball icon LeBron James overtook them with a brilliant comeback. The Lakers overran the Clippers with a 34-8 run in the final minutes.
The 39-year-old James once again became the man of the evening. “We simply had too many turnovers in the last quarter. In the first half the Lakers had I think nine points after we lost the ball, and in the second half they had 30,” said Theis.
James scored 19 (!) of his 34 points in the final quarter, and despite being 21 points behind (77:98), the Lakers still turned the game around. “The game isn’t over until double zero appears on the scoreboard,” said James after the greatest final quarter comeback of his NBA career, which has now spanned two decades. With now 32 wins and 28 defeats, the Lakers still have to worry about the play-off places, while the Clippers remain in fourth place in the West with 37 wins.
Meanwhile, Doncic was the top scorer in the Dallas game with 30 points, 11 rebounds and 16 assists. Kyrie Irving recorded 29 points. The Mavericks laid the foundation for the victory with a strong third quarter, which they won 40:25 after a narrow halftime deficit. The Doncic team is still in eighth place in the Western Conference, with 34 wins compared to 25 defeats.