ALed by a phenomenal Luka Doncic, the Dallas Mavericks ended their NBA losing streak by beating defending champions the Golden State Warriors. The basketball pro from Slovenia had 41 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists in the 116:113 on Tuesday evening and was more successful than Warriors star Stephen Curry with 32 points.
In the first game between the two teams since last season’s Western Conference Finals, Klay Thompson had a chance to equalize for the Warriors as the clock ticked down, but his three-pointer didn’t go in. For the defending champion, a series of the last three wins ended.
“We deserved the win and we definitely needed the win,” said Doncic, who also managed four steals, i.e. balls taken from the opponent. “He plays at an incredibly high level and gets better every year,” said Curry.
The German national basketball player Maxi Kleber contributed 6 points and a block, rebound and assist to the victory of the Mavericks, who still did without the guard Kemba Walker, who had been committed hours before. The veteran should help relieve Doncic in the future and lead the unstable Texans back to safe playoff territory.
Isaiah Hartenstein also booked the end of a series of defeats and, after the last two bankruptcies, won a 140:110 with the New York Knicks against the Detroit Pistons. The 24-year-old had 8 points and 5 rebounds in Detroit. Julius Randle was the best thrower of the game with 36 points.