The Dallas Mavericks forward PJ Washington (25) scores on the Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) in the second half at American Airlines Arena in Dallas on Fri Apr 5, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Golden State Warriors (42-35) played the Dallas Mavericks close for the entire game. With 4.1 seconds left on the clock the Warriors went for the win trailing 108-106. Klay Thompson attempted a three at the end of the game just missing in a wild one. P.J. Washington had an amazing game with 32 points and the Warriors were unable to stop him.

The Warriors continue to hold down tenth place in the Western Conference standings four games ahead of the Houston Rockets. Friday night they took on the Dallas Mavericks after beating them at Chase Tuesday night 104-100.

The season is winding down at light-speed with the Warriors final regular season game on Sunday afternoon at Chase on April 14th. They have four more games after tonight before the finale against the Utah Jazz on Sun Apr 14th. The Mavericks were without superstar Luca Doncic out with knee soreness, the tenth game he has missed this season. The Warriors were still without Jonathan Kuminga and Andrew Wiggins will also miss this game.

Game recap: The opening quarter could not have been closer with the Warriors prevailing 32-31. Golden State also won the second quarter by a single point 22-21 leading at the half 54-52. Both teams fought hard in the first half and going into the second half, this would turn into a real battle.

At the end of the third quarter this game remained a close one although the Mavericks had taken the lead 79-76. Kyrie Irving and P.J. Washington were carrying the team on their back. On the other side it was Stephen Curry who single handedly was willing his team to a win. He had help from his bench from Gary Payton II and Brandin Podziemski.

The fourth quarter got underway and it was a dandy. The Mavericks had led the entire way. The Warriors pulled to within one point 105-104 with under a minute left in the game. The one-point Dallas lead continued to the 21 second mark.

A lengthy challenge was lost by Golden State giving P.J. Washington a couple of free throws. He missed the first badly but made the second giving Dallas a 106-104 lead. With 13.0 seconds left on the clock Curry tied up the game at 106.

The Mavericks struck back hitting a 3-foot layup taking a 108-106 lead. The Warriors had 4.1 to shoot and either try to tie up the game or go for the game winner. Thompson went for the three; he went for the win but missed and Dallas had won the battle 108-106.

Curry finished with 28 points the high for the Warriors. Thompson who missed that final shot had 16 points. Gary Payton II, and Brandin Podziemski both had 14 points off the bench. The team awaits the return of both Jonathan Kuminga and Andrew Wiggins hopefully sooner rather than later.

This was a nice win for Dallas especially in the absence of Luca Doncic. P.J. Washington finished with 32 points and Kyrie Irving with 26 points. The Mavericks remain in fifth place in the Western Conference.

The Warriors will now take on the Utah Jazz at Chase Sunday evening. This is a game that Golden State should win, they are highly favored in this one. Tipoff for this game is scheduled for 5:30 P.M.