- Dallas Mavericks defeated Sacramento Kings 120:106 in a play-in matchup between the 9th and 10th seeds in the West
- A 44-point second quarter powered the Mavericks to a commanding halftime lead they never relinquished
- Dallas will face Memphis on April 19 for a playoff spot
Key Takeaways:
Dallas Mavericks continue to dream of an NBA Playoff appearance. Jason Kidd’s squad crushed the Sacramento Kings 120:106 in their Western Conference play-in tournament matchup between the ninth and tenth seeds. At the Golden 1 Center, the start of the game didn’t suggest such an outcome, but the Texas team exploded in the second quarter with 44 points, breaking the resistance of Doug Christie’s players.
The result was enough for the Mavericks to take their first successful step toward the official elimination phase. They will need to win one more game in the play-in tournament to extend their season. Dallas will visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday, April 19. For Sacramento, the 2024/25 campaign is over.
The Dallas Mavericks stay alive in the NBA Play-In Tournament, taking down the Sacramento Kings 120-106. pic.twitter.com/vt5ZM2p4hQ
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) April 17, 2025
The game began with short scoring runs from both teams. Naji Marshall, Anthony Davis, and PJ Washington ensured the hosts’ offence stayed sharp, while Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan responded at the other end. The quarter ended with a narrow 2-point advantage for the visitors.
The second quarter completely shifted the momentum, as the Mavericks proved unstoppable on offence. They quickly built a double-digit lead thanks to Brandon Williams, Klay Thompson, and Davis. Sacramento’s defense gradually fell apart, and the Mavericks entered halftime firmly in control at 71:48.
The court dynamics remained unchanged in the second half, where the Texas team dictated the tempo and clearly demonstrated they had more answers until the final whistle.
Anthony Davis led the Mavericks with 27 points and 9 rebounds. Klay Thompson finished with 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 three-pointers. Brandon Williams (5 assists) and PJ Washington (9 rebounds) each contributed 17 points, while Dante Exum added 11 points and 6 assists.
DeMar DeRozan was Sacramento’s standout with 33 points and 7 rebounds. Zach LaVine tallied 20 points and 9 assists, Domantas Sabonis added 11 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists, and Devin Carter chipped in with 10 points.