Luka Doncic returns to score 39 points in Mavericks' 132-122 victory over Warriors
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 30: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks drives towards the basket on Brandin Podziemski #2 of the Golden State Warriors during the fourth quarter at Chase Center on December 30, 2023 in San Francisco, Californ
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Luka Doncic scored 25 of his 39 points in the second half in his return to the lineup and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Golden State Warriors 132-122 on Saturday night.
Doncic added 10 assists and eight rebounds after sitting out Thursday night at Minnesota because of soreness in his left quadriceps.
Dante Exum scored 19 points to help Dallas improve to 19-14. Josh Green had 18 and Dereck Lively II added 12 points and 14 rebounds.
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Stephen Curry led Golden State with 25 points and seven assists. Chris Paul had a season-high 24 points and became the 37th player in NBA history to surpass 22,000 career points. The Warriors have lost three straight to fall to 15-17.
Trayce Jackson-Davis scored a career-high 17 points for Golden State. Jonathan Kuminga had 16 and nine rebounds for his 12th straight game with at least 10 points.
Dallas used a 13-0 run early in the second quarter to open a 49-33 lead. Golden State responded with a 12-0 spurt to get within four.
Doncic scored 14 points in the third quarter to help the Mavericks open a 101-89 lead.
Curry and Paul hit consecutive 3-pointers to cut it to 119-114 with 2:47 remaining.
The Mavericks shot 55.7% and the Warriors 45.6%.
Dallas guard Seth Curry sat out because of an illness, while Kyrie Irving was out for the 12th straight game with a right heel contusion.
Warriors guard Gary Payton II returned after missing 13 games because of a strained right calf. he had two points in nine minutes.
UP NEXT
Mavericks: At Utah on Monday night.
Warriors: Host Orlando on Tuesday night.