John Collins delivered a standout performance, scoring 28 points, including a crucial dunk with just 6.4 seconds remaining, to secure a thrilling 115-113 victory for the Utah Jazz against the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night. This win marks the Jazz’s first home victory of the season.
Alongside Collins’ impressive contributions, he also recorded nine rebounds, while Jordan Clarkson contributed 20 points to the team’s effort. For the Mavericks, Luka Doncic was a force to be reckoned with, scoring 37 points, along with seven rebounds and nine assists. Quentin Grimes stepped up in Kyrie Irving’s absence—due to a right shoulder sprain—by adding 15 points and five assists, while Klay Thompson chipped in with 17 points.
The game witnessed momentum shifts as the Mavericks fought back from a double-digit deficit to tie the score late in the final quarter, thanks to Thompson’s timely 3-pointer. However, Collins’ decisive dunk sealed the game for Utah.
At halftime, Dallas held the lead and Doncic had a strong third quarter, scoring six baskets. However, the Jazz countered with a 9-0 run, highlighted by Collins’ tip-in layup that elevated their lead to 90-78.
Takeaways from the game indicate that the Mavericks missed the scoring support of Irving, which hampered their ability to keep up with Utah’s dynamic offense. Meanwhile, rookie Kyle Filipowski is emerging as a reliable scorer for the Jazz, averaging 16.0 points with an impressive shooting efficiency of 68.4% over his last two games.
The pivotal moment occurred when Utah scored on six consecutive possessions in the third quarter, incited by Lauri Markkanen’s three baskets, including a significant step-back 3-pointer that helped establish their lead.
Notably, the Jazz demonstrated their speed and efficiency with 20 fast-break points throughout the game.
Looking ahead, the Mavericks are set to face the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night, while the Jazz will be challenging the Sacramento Kings on the same evening.
This encouraging performance from the Jazz not only reflects their potential to grow stronger as the season progresses but also showcases the individual talents emerging within the team. With each game, they are building confidence and synergy, hinting at a promising path forward.