3 thoughts after Dallas fought off the Pelicans, 111-103
FILED UNDER:
The Mavericks get their first win after the All-Star break
The Dallas Mavericks returned from All-Star break with a convincing win over the New Orleans Pelicans, 111-103. Kyrie Irving led Dallas with 35 points and four assists. Zion Williamson scored 29 points in just 27 minutes, but withered in the final minutes as the Pelicans could not rally.
Dallas took firm advantage of a Pelicans team that seemed to be still on vacation in the first quarter. Despite a strong offensive start for New Orleans, the Mavericks kept pace the first six minutes. Following Zion Williamson heading to the bench, the Pelicans scored just eight points in the final six-plus minutes of the frame. Dallas, meanwhile, poured it in and finished the first twelve minutes up 32-22.
The offense died for Dallas for much of the second quarter, with the game grinding to a halt. The Pelicans slowly worked themselves back into the game, finally taking back the lead just after the seven minute mark. Dallas woke up a bit in the closing minutes, led by PJ Washington’s scoring. The two teams traded baskets, with Dallas taking a lead into the half after a Max Christie three in the closing seconds.
The second half opened similar to the way the first ended, with back and forth scoring and neither team able to take much of a lead. The game picked up the pace in the latter part of the frame; Dallas looked to take a strong lead but couldn’t pour it on despite open looks. The Pelicans rallied back but couldn’t overtake Dallas and found themselves trailing 86-82 after three periods.
Kyrie Irving took over in the middle of the fourth and helped push Dallas to an eight point lead after a Trey Murphy three had closed the Maverick lead to three with 5:19 remaining. The Pelicans ran out of gas and Dallas was able to hold of New Orleans from making any kind of tangible run. Dallas wins their 31st game of the year, 111-103.
While the Mavericks attempt to hold the fort without a starting calibre big man of any kind, the overarching worry for most fans have to be centered around Kyrie Irving. He’s been fantastic for weeks now, but he’s also an aging small guard so it’s reasonable to be worried he could be ground down by the season. His minutes in particular stand out, as he’s averaged nearly 42 minutes per game in February.
So watching him play 37 while scoring 35 points with relative ease coming off of an All-Star break was pleasing to see. He’s real good, folks.
I have nothing striking to add past how satisfying it is to watch Washington return from an ankle sprain and play like he hasn’t missed a beat. Stuffing the box score with 24 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block. Just really impressive to watch.
There aren’t many players who I’d label as appointment viewing during my time watching basketball. Kevin Durant was one when he played at Texas. Zion was another during his stint with Duke. So seeing how he’s evolved, or hasn’t evolved more accurately, is really maddening.
He started out like a monster against the Mavericks and it looked like it could be a long night for the guys in white. And yes, he scored 29 points on 11 of 15 shooting, but he looked absolutely exhausted in the fourth quarter and he only played 27 minutes in the game. Have some pride man, get your butt into shape. Maybe it’ll just never happen. It’s a shame too, he’s really good. But tonight, the Mavericks benefitted.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537). Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ D.C.) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT) or visit FanDuel.com/RG.
Follow Mavs Moneyball online:
Site search
Mavs Moneyball main menu
Share this story
Efficient Kyrie Irving
Welcome back, PJ Washington
Zion Williamson is so disappointing
MORE FROM MAVS MONEYBALL
MOST READ
Loading comments…
Kyrie Irving lifts Mavericks to win over Pelicans
Kyrie Irving scored a game-high 35 points and the host Dallas Mavericks came to life at the start of the fourth quarter on the way to a 111-103 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night.
P.J. Washington added 24 points and seven rebounds for Dallas, which led by only two, 86-84, after Pelicans wing Bruce Brown made good on a layup 29 seconds into the final frame.
However, Klay Thompson responded with a 3-pointer that ignited an 8-0 spurt, allowing the Mavericks to build a 94-84 cushion with 9:21 remaining. New Orleans later got its deficit down to three on two occasions, but it never found a way to draw even.
Irving drilled the dagger with 57 seconds to play, as his trey made it 109-99 Dallas.
Max Christie and Naji Marshall were effective off the Mavericks’ bench, posting 16 and 15 points, respectively. Marshall also had 10 boards to complete a double-double.
Zion Williamson paced the Pelicans with 29 points and seven rebounds. Trey Murphy III went for 20 points, six boards and six assists, and CJ McCollum finished with 16 points.
Dallas outshot New Orleans 43 percent to 41.3 percent from the field and made twice as many threes (16-8).
Washington piled up 10 points in the first quarter to send Dallas to the second with a 32-22 lead.
After Washington split a pair of free throws with 10:03 left in the first half to extend the Mavericks’ advantage to 37-26, New Orleans rattled off 12 straight points. Jose Alvarado punctuated that run with a 3-pointer that gave the Pelicans a one-point edge.
From there, neither team led by more than four for the rest of the half, with Dallas going into the break leading 56-53.
An Irving layup had the Mavericks ahead 84-77 with 1:45 to go in the third quarter before New Orleans pulled within four by the end of the period.
–Field Level Media
Copyright 2025
4 Nations Face-Off Proves One Thing: The NHL Needs More Of This
Best Sports Betting Picks Today: College Basketball, NBA Predictions For February 21st
Three Overrated College Football Teams Headed Into 2025
Let’S Overreact To Luka Doncic’S First Three Games With The Los Angeles Lakers
These Five MLB Bottom Feeders Are Already Pretty Much Eliminated From 2025 Playoffs
Best Sports Betting Picks Today: 4 Nations Face-Off, NBA Bets For February 20th
Three Big Storylines As 2025 NBA Season Inches Closer To Playoff Time
Netflix Wants Sunday Afternoon Regular Season NFL Games, And That’S A Great Idea
Gloves Off Or Game On? USA Vs. Canada Rematch Promises Fireworks
Three Storylines Entering 2025 MLB Spring Training: Dodgers, Mets, & More
Kyrie Irving scores 35 points to help the Mavericks beat the Pelicans 111-103 for 3rd straight win
Kyrie Irving scored 35 points, P
DALLAS — Kyrie Irving scored 35 points, P.J. Washington Jr. had 20 of his 24 points in the first half and the Dallas Mavericks beat the New Orleans Pelicans 111-103 on Friday night for their third straight victory.
Irving hit 11 of 22 shots from the floor, hitting 5 of 12 3-pointers, and all eight of his free throws.
Washington, a 6-foot-7 power forward, returned to a Dallas lineup whose three centers are all out with injuries after he missed the last three games before the All-Star break with an ankle sprain.
Zion Williamson scored 29 points for New Orleans, and Trey Murphy III had 20. The Pelicans have lost 11 of their last 12.
Pelicans: Kelly Olynyk made his Pelicans debut after missing four games following the Feb. 6 trade that brought him from Toronto. Olynyk had four points, three rebounds and three assists in 23 minutes. … Williamson passed 5,000 career points in 203 games, third-fastest behind Luka Doncic (194 games) and LeBron James (197).
Mavericks: The winning streak is Dallas’ longest since a seven-game run Nov. 25-Dec. 7. … Naji Marshall had 15 points and 10 rebounds off the bench.
After CJ McCollum’s 25-foot 3-pointer pulled New Orleans to 103-99 with 2:53 to play, Marshall answered with a right-corner 3, and Irving sank the next basket from behind the arc with 57 seconds left for a 109-99 Dallas lead.
The Mavericks won the outside game – hitting 16 of 44 3-pointers to the Pelicans’ 8 of 27 – to negate New Orleans’ 56-36 edge in the paint.
The Pelicans will play the first of consecutive home games against San Antonio on Sunday night. The Mavericks are at Golden State on Sunday.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events
