Undermanned Mavericks awaiting Irving debut, Doncic return stun Jazz

Hours after Dallas traded for Kyrie Irving, Josh Green and Jaden Hardy each scored a career-high 29 points as the short-handed Mavericks pulled off a 124-111 victory over the Utah Jazz on Monday (Tuesday, February 7, Manila time) in Salt Lake City.

Dallas put together a surprisingly strong showing despite the absence of star Luka Doncic, who sat out due to an injured heel, and while playing without multiple players due to the trade that became official earlier in the day.

Hoping to become contenders once again, the Mavericks dealt Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, a 2029 first-round pick and two second-round selections to the Brooklyn Nets for Irving, an eight-time All-Star guard, and Markieff Morris.

Before Monday’s game, Dallas coach Jason Kidd said the Mavericks plan to have Irving and Morris join them on their current five-game road trip in time for their Wednesday game against the Los Angeles Clippers. It’s uncertain if Doncic will be healthy enough to play by then, however.

Tim Hardaway Jr. added 17 points and Dwight Powell totaled 12 points and 16 rebounds for Dallas, which had six players score in double figures while earning its third win in four games.

Jordan Clarkson scored 26 points, Lauri Markkanen chipped in 19 points and Mike Conley added 10 points and 11 assists, but the listless Jazz fell for the second game in a row at home despite being at full strength.

Rookie Walker Kessler had 13 points and nine rebounds for Utah, which blew a 15-point lead.

Utah opened the final quarter strong, outscoring Dallas 9-3 to reclaim a two-point lead on a Conley bucket with 9:11 remaining.

But Dallas responded with 13 of the next 17 points, including an 8-0 run, to go back on top.

Kessler brought Utah within four with a three-point play, but Hardaway followed with a jumper, Powell hit two free throws and Reggie Bullock slammed home the final points of a 6-0 run that put Dallas ahead 111-101 with 3:39 left.

The Jazz jumped ahead by 15 late in the first quarter after going on a 10-0 run.

Hardy drilled three 3-pointers in a 14-point streak for the Mavericks straddling the first and second periods, cutting Utah’s lead to 37-36.

After Dallas caught up with Utah, Clarkson gave the Jazz a 62-60 halftime advantage by making two free throws with 3.4 seconds left in the second quarter.

The Mavericks took a nine-point lead in the third quarter with an 8-0 run before the Jazz pulled within four heading into the fourth. – Rappler.com