Monday’s 125-120 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans facilitated the Dallas Mavericks in a two-game home split with the Pelicans. Tim Hardaway Jr. and Kyrie Irving each contributed 42 points.
During the second game in franchise history in which two players scored 40 points, sensation Luka Doncic was sidelined for the third consecutive contest due to a sprained ankle. Doncic and Irving each had one contest in March.
Zion Williamson accumulated 30 points, yet his free throw percentage stood at 6 for 11. Notably, he failed to convert a 17-second-range opportunity that would have given New Orleans the lead, despite a deliberate infraction by Dallas.
At the midpoint of the fourth quarter, the Mavericks, trailing seven points, closed the gap to two with a three-pointer from Hardaway. The subsequent attempt was successful, securing his second 40-point game of his career and giving Dallas a 112-111 lead. Hardaway fell one point short of his all-time peak.
The Pelicans prevailed 118-110 in the first game despite missing their top three scorers—Branton Ingram, CJ McCollum, and Williamson—on 3-of-14 shooting for 12 points. McCollum also assisted Ingram in his endeavors.
