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In an exciting season opener, Luka Dončić led the Dallas Mavericks to victory against the San Antonio Spurs with an impressive 28 points and 10 rebounds. Klay Thompson made a strong debut for Dallas, contributing 22 points to the 120-109 win on Thursday night.
Kyrie Irving added 15 points for the Mavericks, who are the defending Western Conference champions. Dončić also delivered eight assists, while Thompson grabbed seven rebounds, showcasing a well-rounded team effort.
Victor Wembanyama, beginning his second year with the Spurs, struggled with his shooting, scoring 17 points on 5-of-18 attempts. Meanwhile, Jeremy Sochan and Julian Champagnie each contributed 18 points to the Spurs’ tally.
Game insights
For the Spurs, Thompson’s first appearance was notable, but Chris Paul’s debut in San Antonio marked a milestone as he entered his 20th NBA season. Despite a tough offensive outing, with his only points from a third-quarter three-pointer, Paul demonstrated his value with eight assists and seven rebounds, aiding the development of the Spurs’ young roster.
The Mavericks focused on defense with their dynamic trio of Dončić, Irving, and Thompson. A highlight in the third quarter was a sequence of three consecutive turnovers by San Antonio, initiated by a steal from Thompson followed by two from Irving. However, Dallas capitalized on only two points from these opportunities.
Pivotal play
A standout moment occurred in the third quarter when the Mavericks extended their lead to 69-55. Dončić, under pressure near the basket, executed a no-look pass over his head to P.J. Washington Jr., who nailed an open three-pointer.
Statistical highlight
Dallas significantly improved their perimeter shooting in the second half, hitting 13 of 18 three-pointers after a tepid 6 of 23 in the first half.
Looking ahead
The Spurs will face the Houston Rockets in back-to-back home games starting Saturday. Meanwhile, the Mavericks are set to play against Phoenix in their next matchup on the same day.
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