Wednesday night, the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 126-97. Kyrie Irving added 29 points in his second game back from a heel injury, while Luka Doncic scored 30 of his 41 points in the first half.
Together, the All-Stars were 23 for 40 from the field prior to missing the fourth quarter. In the 37-point defeat at Utah, they finished 12 of 34 during Irving’s return following a 12-game absence due to a bruised right heel.
“Excellent reaction to the events in Utah,” remarked Dallas head coach Jason Kidd. “The ball movement impressed me greatly.” Defensively, he was outstanding. We were confined.”
Tim Hardaway Jr. tallied 14 points and tied Irving for the season-high with nine rebounds for the Mavericks, who launched their longest homestand of the year—seven games—with the first of two consecutive games against Portland.
Shaedon Sharpe and Anfernee Simons each contributed 16 points and 15 points, respectively, for the Trail Blazers, who fell to 0-2 on their longest seven-game road excursions of the season.
The Mavs, who were on the precipice of being in peak physical condition for the season, lost two frontcourt players—forward Grant Williams and rookie center Dereck Lively II—to ankle injuries in the second half.
Both were moderate sprains, according to Kidd, and the team would learn more about their prognosis on Thursday.
