Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) drives the ball against Sacramento Kings guard Davion Mitchell (15) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas at American Airlines Arena on Wed Apr 5, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Wednesday night the Sacramento Kings (48-32) took on the Dallas Mavericks (38-42) at American Airlines Center. The Kings have secured their spot in the playoffs and are chasing 50 wins with a possibility of 51 wins when all is said and done heading into the playoffs. The Mavericks picked up the win against the Kings playing desperately to stay alive for a 123-119.

The Mavericks have a distinctly different future. The Mavericks are currently in 11th place in the Western Conference and will be fighting for a play in spot. Dallas does not have any injured players and the Kings are very close to full strength. Bench player Matthew Dellavedova underwent surgery to repair a fractured index finger. There is no timetable right now for him. Two teams with vastly different agendas.

The two teams battled throughout the first quarter. After the first 12 minutes the Mavericks had a slim lead 28-27. Keegan Murray had a quiet opening quarter but he really began to heat up in the second quarter. He had eleven points at the half with two triples.

The teams two power houses De’Aaron Fox and Luca Doncic both finished the half with 17 points. Domantas Sabonis had a terrific first half with seven rebounds, eight assists and 14 points. The Kings outscored the Mavericks in the second quarter 44-32. They led at the half 71-60 with a lot of ball still to play.

After an amazing game against the Hawks on Sunday Kyrie Irving had a quiet first half in this game with 6 points. It was a far cry from the 41 points he scored against the Hawks Sunday but it was only one half of basketball.

The Mavericks came roaring back in the third quarter outscoring the Kings 32-21 taking the lead mid-way through the quarter. The teams traded the lead in the final minutes of the quarter. The game was tied at 92 after three.

Kyrie Irving got hot in the second half and with 6:09 left in the game had shot for 24 points. Tim Hardaway Jr. also had 24 points and Luca Doncic does what he typically does and that is control the game shooting for 29 points. Dallas was fighting for their playoff lives and they were playing like it.

Kyrie Irving scored 19 points in the final twelve minutes and willed his team to a 123-119 win keeping them alive although barely. The Kings were hoping to administer the last rites in Dallas but the Mavericks were on fire in the second half and refused to go away.

The Kings did not have the fourth quarter magic that we have seen so often this season. Fox finished with the high score shooting for 28 points. Every starter finished with double digits and Sabonis had yet another triple double with 14 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists.

Friday night the Kings will be back home taking on the Golden State Warriors at Golden One Center. This will be yet another team that is fighting for position in the playoffs. The Warriors do not want to have to end up in a play in game and so this is a critical game for them. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 pm.

Dallas Beats Kings in Final Minutes To Stay Alive For Playoff Berth