Luka Dončić had 28 points and 10 rebounds, Klay Thompson added 22 points in his Dallas debut and the Mavericks beat the San Antonio Spurs 120-109 in Thursday night’s opener.
Kyrie Irving had 15 points for the defending Western Conference champions, who got eight assists from Doncic and seven rebounds from Thompson.
Victor Wembanyama shot just 5 of 18 from the field and scored 17 points to open the French phenom’s second year with the Spurs. Jeremy Sochan and Julian Champagnie scored 18 each.
What is taken
Spurs: Thompson’s first game with the Mavericks was a highlight, but Chris Paul’s first game in San Antonio to start his 20th season was a pivotal moment for the Spurs in the growth of a young team looking to end a five-season playoff drought. The offense looked tough, and Paul’s only 3 points in the third quarter. But the guard’s long-term value was shown by eight assists and seven rebounds.
Mavericks: Dallas has been talking about defense and an offensive star of Doncic, Irving and Thompson. There was a short display in the third quarter with three consecutive San Antonio turnovers. Thompson had the first steal, Irving the next two. Dallas scored just two points, however.
Time is important
The Mavericks took the lead to 69-55 in the third quarter when Doncic was in the lane under the basket and threw a blind pass over his head to PJ Washington Jr. with 3 open.
Key figures
Dallas came out hotter from long distances in the second half. The Mavs were 13 of 18 on 3s after halftime after finishing the first half 6 of 23.
Next
The Spurs play their first home game against Houston on Saturday. The Mavericks play their road opener Saturday at Phoenix.
It is reported by the Associated Press.
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