Dallas, TX
Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving keep leading Dallas Mavericks to wins during busy stretch
ORLANDO, Fla. – Whatever algorithm determines NBA schedules essentially hung this as an “L” on the Mavericks’ ledger back in the summer.
If that message wasn’t previously clear, it certainly was instilled when the Mavericks arrived at their Orlando hotel at 2:43 a.m. Monday, preparing to play their third game in four days and second in 23 hours.
The Mavericks obviously had much different plans, rallying from a 15-point deficit to stun the much-improved Orlando Magic, 117-102, Monday night in Amway Center.
That narrative probably sounds familiar because just one night earlier in American Airlines Center the Mavericks rallied from 15 down to defeat Charlotte. According to Elias Sports, this is the first time the Mavericks have overcome 12-or-more-point halftime deficits to win on consecutive nights.
And for the second straight night, the Luka Doncic-Kyrie Irving combo was lethal in crunch time. The star tandem combined to score 23 of Dallas’ 31 fourth-quarter points, including the final 13 in the last 4:23.
“Seems like we like close games, huh?” said Irving, after the Mavericks improved to an NBA-best 6-0 in clutch games, defined as games in which the margin is five or fewer points during the final five minutes.
“When I signed back here, I knew that my role was going to be a little bit different than it was on other teams,” Irving added. “And even last year, when we had different pieces.
“But I knew one thing: For certain down the stretch, I was going to have to maintain my poise and make sure that the guys knew that they can look to me emotionally, mentally, just for that reassurance that we’re OK.”
At 6-1, the Mavericks are tied for the second-best seven-game start in the franchise’s 44-season history. The 2002-2003 Dallas team went 7-0 on its way to a 14-0 start. The 2004-2005 Mavericks started 6-1 and eventually 7-1.
“We’re settin’ records,” coach Jason Kidd deadpanned.
Tim Hardaway Jr., who came off the bench and scored nine of his 21 points during Dallas’ third-quarter rally, said several veteran Mavericks spoke up at the time, saying the game still was winnable. Hardaway cited Irving, Markieff Morris, Seth Curry and Derrick Jones Jr. as players who spoke.
“Last year we wouldn’t be winning these type of games, especially back-to-back,” Hardaway said. “Right now it shows we trust one another out there, but we also hold each other accountable. And guys listen and go out there and fight for one another.”
In Sunday’s victory, the Mavericks took their first lead, at 94-92, since the first quarter, when it was 15-14. Monday was a virtual carbon copy. Dallas led 17-16 five minutes into the game, but didn’t lead again until a Josh Green layup made it 77-76 with 2:48 left in the third quarter.
More déjà vu: On Sunday Charlotte’s biggest lead, 63-48, was with 1:38 remaining in the first half. Orlando’s biggest lead, 60-45, occurred with 1:38 left in the first half. After allowing 66 first-half points to the Magic, Dallas outscored Orlando 64-36 in the second half.
“This is a great and very tough win for us,” said Doncic, who briefly left the court in the third quarter and was checked for a concussion after banging his head on the knee of an Orlando player. “We’ve just got to keep fighting, keep playing defense, and it’s going to lead a long way.”
Coming off Sunday night’s win and the difficult travel schedule, Doncic and Irving were listed as questionable on the injury report.
Apparently, though, there wasn’t much consideration given to them sitting out, at least not in the players’ minds.
“It could be easy where Luka or Kai could take the night off because it’s back-to-back,” Kidd said. “But those are our leaders. Those guys went out there and played at a high level and I thought that the rest of the team did the same.”
As a result, that “L” the Mavericks seemed destined to take on this night became perhaps the biggest W of this young season.
X: @Townbrad
Find more Mavericks coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
The Dallas Cowboys have officially decided to part ways with Mike McCarthy, who has arguably been the team’s best head coach in the last two decades.
Dallas faces the challenge of finding a new leader to guide the franchise to glory. Given McCarthy’s track record, there’s hope that the Cowboys already have a few viable candidates in mind
One name that stands out is Kellen Moore, a former Cowboys quarterback and offensive coordinator. Moore has familiarity with the organization, which could make him an ideal candidate.
MORE: 4 candidates to replace Mike McCarthy as Cowboys head coach
Over the last two seasons, Moore has had stints with the Los Angeles Chargers and the Philadelphia Eagles.
His time with the Chargers was brief, lasting only the 2023 season, but in 2024, he joined the Eagles, where he helped orchestrate the NFL’s top-ranked rushing attack. His impact was evident as Philadelphia secured a playoff win against the Green Bay Packers.
MORE: Cowboys missed out on Hall of Fame coach by Jerry Jones dragging his feet
Moore had several seasons in Dallas where the Cowboys boasted one of the league’s top offenses in terms of points per game, and his close relationship with quarterback Dak Prescott would make for a smooth transition.
Given his success with the Eagles’ offense and his proven track record in Dallas, Moore could be an excellent candidate to lead the Cowboys into their next chapter.
The Cowboys certainly dropped the ball with their decision regarding Mike McCarthy. Not only have they parted ways with McCarthy at a crucial time, but they’ve also missed the window to interview Kellen Moore this past week.
Now, Dallas will have to wait for the opportunity to speak with Moore, potentially complicating their coaching search.
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Associated Press
Dallas Stars (27-14-1, in the Central Division) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (27-15-2, in the Atlantic Division)
Toronto; Tuesday, 7 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Dallas Stars face off in a non-conference matchup.
Toronto has a 17-8-0 record at home and a 27-15-2 record overall. The Maple Leafs have gone 25-2-1 in games they score at least three goals.
Dallas is 11-9-0 in road games and 27-14-1 overall. The Stars have a 21-3-0 record when scoring three or more goals.
The teams meet Tuesday for the second time this season. The Maple Leafs won 5-3 in the previous meeting. William Nylander led the Maple Leafs with two goals.
TOP PERFORMERS: Mitchell Marner has scored 14 goals with 45 assists for the Maple Leafs. John Tavares has five goals and five assists over the past 10 games.
Matt Duchene has 16 goals and 22 assists for the Stars. Jamie Benn has scored six goals with four assists over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Maple Leafs: 6-4-0, averaging 2.9 goals, 5.3 assists, 2.7 penalties and 6.3 penalty minutes while giving up 2.8 goals per game.
Stars: 8-1-1, averaging 3.3 goals, 5.8 assists, 2.3 penalties and 4.6 penalty minutes while giving up 2.1 goals per game.
INJURIES: Maple Leafs: None listed.
Stars: None listed.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
“Everyone went crazy in the plane. It was bonkers. Everyone was yelling, and at the end, the pilot made the announcement and everyone started chanting ‘new crew, new crew’,” Ruhlman.
“I have to go to work. I’m obviously not going to be able to work on Monday. I was supposed to arrive in Auckland on Friday morning,” Ruhlman said.
Carina Fischer, of Remuera, described the scene in the terminal as “a nightmare”.
Fischer said: “Everyone is crying. Kids are screaming.”
She said a relative had helped her buy a hotel room, but she had been washing her clothes in the sink and drying them with a hairdryer.
She was also worried about her child who has ADHD, saying he was without his medication as well.
She claimed American Airlines was “not helpful, not helpful at all”.
Ruhlman echoed that sentiment: “They literally don’t care that they ruined people’s holidays and so many plans – and sanity.”
She said a group of passengers were planning to write to the airline’s chief executive asking for compensation.
“I’m so tired and still in my same clothes as Wednesday. It’s Monday …”
American Airlines was approached for comment on Saturday, but had yet to respond by Monday morning.
Another passenger, Sarah Botwright was due to be in New Zealand for a holiday to see her friend, said she had to be home in Ohio and she would likely have to cancel her whole trip to Godzone.
“My luggage will be going to New Zealand regardless of whether I go or not, though,” she said.
“It’s just insane,” she said of the situation.
Local daily paper the Dallas Morning News reported more than 600 flights to and from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field had been cancelled as of 5pm Friday (12pm, Saturday, NZ).
More than 800 flights were also delayed. American Airlines flights were the most impacted by the delays, the Dallas Morning News said.
The paper said the delays were due to a snowstorm in North Texas on Thursday which left a dumping of snow and icy conditions.
Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022.
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