Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic (77) drives to the basket between Golden State Warriors’ Chris Paul, heart rear, and Andrew Wiggins, proper, throughout the second half of an NBA basketball recreation in Dallas, Wednesday, March 13, 2024. (AP Photograph/Tony Gutierrez)
DALLAS — Luka Doncic’s triple-double streak is over as the main focus turns to his tender left hamstring.
Daniel Gafford is staring down Wilt Chamberlain for the most effective run of consecutive made baskets in NBA historical past.
Doncic scored 21 factors as his triple-double run ended at seven video games, Gafford made 5 baskets to push his streak to 33 in a row and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Golden State Warriors 109-99 within the NBA on Wednesday night time.
READ: Luka Doncic first NBA participant with 6 straight 30-point triple-doubles
The triple-double streak for Doncic was all however over when the NBA scoring chief returned to the sport within the fourth quarter. He was gone 22 seconds later, quickly dominated out with left hamstring soreness.
Coach Jason Kidd mentioned he wasn’t positive if Doncic would make the journey to Oklahoma Metropolis, the place the Mavericks end a back-to-back on Thursday night time.
On to the following 🫡@KyrieIrving // #MFFL pic.twitter.com/t8PA3n2XWe
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) March 14, 2024
“We’ll have a greater reply (Thursday),” Kidd mentioned. “It is a fluid factor. This factor is being talked about now.”
The Warriors have been with out Stephen Curry for a 3rd consecutive recreation, and it confirmed with sub-40% taking pictures virtually the complete recreation in a fifth loss in six video games this season with out their star guard.
Golden State is 1-2 since Curry has been sidelined by a sprained proper ankle. Steve Kerr mentioned earlier than the sport Curry ought to be part of the group in Los Angeles, and the coach is hopeful Curry will play Saturday towards the Lakers.
The Warriors additionally have been with out Draymond Inexperienced, who was scratched earlier than the sport with again soreness. Jonathan Kuminga led Golden State with 27 factors.
READ: NBA: Luka Doncic has one other 30-point triple-double in Mavericks’ win over Warmth
“What Draymond does, he places his impression on the sport by some means,” Kerr mentioned. “Doesn’t matter. Folks get harm, and also you’ve bought to reply.”
All of Gafford’s buckets got here on dunks, and he’s two in need of Chamberlain’s NBA document, set in 1967. The 6-foot-10 heart acquired earlier than the commerce deadline had a season-high seven blocks.
“I attempt to inform myself to not fear about it,” Gafford mentioned. “If I do it, that’s good. I’m going to have a good time it, after all. I simply wish to come out and win video games. I’ll fear in regards to the document after for positive.”
Doncic had 9 assists and three rebounds. His triple-double run included NBA data of 5 consecutive with no less than 35 factors and 6 in a row with no less than 30 factors.
Whereas the Warriors didn’t shoot effectively from anyplace, the Mavericks withstood one in every of their worst nights of the season from 3-point vary, beginning 1 of 17 earlier than ending 6 of 27 (22%).
Doncic threw his arms within the air after his solely connection from deep within the third quarter. He was 1 of 6 from past the arc, whereas Kyrie Irving was 1 of 5 whereas ending with 23 factors, 10 assists and eight rebounds.
The Mavericks took management with an 11-0 run for an 87-72 lead whereas Doncic was sitting early within the fourth quarter. His return didn’t final lengthy, however the Mavericks continued to drag away with out the five-time All-Star.
Andrew Wiggins scored 17 factors for Golden State, which misplaced for simply the second time in 11 highway video games in a matchup of groups that began the night time in place for the play-in event.
“I just like the group so much higher now than I did a few months in the past the place we have been actually sorting by way of issues,” Kerr mentioned. “We’ve got an id. I believe we’ll bounce again right here, and I’m excited in regards to the final a part of the season.”
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NEXT NBA SCHEDULE
Warriors: On the Lakers on Saturday.
Mavericks: At Oklahoma Metropolis on Thursday.