On March 13, 2024, the Dallas Mavericks managed to secure a victory over the Golden State Warriors with a final score of 109-99, despite Luka Doncic’s impressive triple-double streak coming to an end at seven games. The focus shifted towards Doncic’s health as he dealt with a tender left hamstring, overshadowing his 21-point contribution to the game. Meanwhile, Daniel Gafford is on the brink of making history, chasing Wilt Chamberlain’s record for consecutive made baskets, extending his streak to 33 with this game.
Doncic’s streak was nearly guaranteed to end when he re-entered the game in the fourth quarter, only to exit 22 seconds later due to left hamstring soreness. Mavericks’ coach Jason Kidd expressed uncertainty about Doncic’s availability for the upcoming game against Oklahoma City, highlighting the situation’s fluidity.
The Warriors felt the absence of Stephen Curry for the third straight game, evident in their shooting struggles throughout the match. Without Curry and Draymond Green, who was sidelined just before the game due to back soreness, the Warriors faced their fifth loss in six games without their star guard. Jonathan Kuminga stepped up with 27 points for Golden State.
Gafford’s performance was notable, with all his baskets coming from dunks, inching closer to Chamberlain’s record set in 1967. Despite the pressure, Gafford remains focused on winning games over breaking records.
The Mavericks struggled from the three-point line, starting 1 of 17 before finishing 6 of 27. However, they managed to take control with an 11-0 run in the fourth quarter, extending their lead significantly even without Doncic on the court.
Kyrie Irving also played a crucial role for the Mavericks, finishing with 23 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds. The victory was significant for Dallas, positioning them for the play-in tournament alongside the Warriors, who are looking to bounce back in the latter part of the season.
The Warriors are set to face the Lakers next, while the Mavericks will play against Oklahoma City, with both teams eager to solidify their standings as the season progresses.