John Collins delivered a thrilling performance, sealing the game with a decisive dunk in the last moments, contributing to his total of 28 points, and leading the Utah Jazz to their first home victory of the season with a close 115-113 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night.
In addition to Collins’ standout game, he secured nine rebounds, while teammate Jordan Clarkson also played a significant role by adding 20 points. For the Mavericks, Luka Doncic was exceptional with 37 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists. Quentin Grimes stepped up in the absence of Kyrie Irving, who was sidelined with a right shoulder sprain, contributing 15 points and five assists. Klay Thompson scored 17 points to support the Mavericks’ effort.
Dallas managed to overcome a double-digit deficit, tying the game in the final minute thanks to Thompson’s impressive three-pointer. However, Collins countered sharply with his game-winning dunk soon after.
At halftime, the Mavericks had the upper hand, but the Jazz surged ahead in the third quarter, largely due to a 9-0 run after Doncic’s back-to-back baskets, culminating in a Collins tip-in that put Utah ahead at 90-78.
Key takeaways include the impact of Irving’s absence for the Mavericks, which left them without a consistent second scorer, while the Jazz showcased the promising skills of rookie Kyle Filipowski, who is averaging 16.0 points on an impressive 68.4% shooting over his last two outings.
A crucial moment for Utah came when they scored on six consecutive possessions during the third quarter, with Lauri Markkanen playing a significant role by scoring three of those baskets, including a step-back three-pointer.
The Jazz capitalized on their speed, racking up 20 points from fast breaks throughout the game. Looking ahead, the Mavericks will face the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night, while the Jazz travel to Sacramento the same night.
This exciting matchup highlights the competitive nature of the league, and fans can feel optimistic about the growth of young talents like Collins and Filipowski as they shine on the court.
Summary: John Collins led the Jazz to their first home win of the season with a last-minute dunk, scoring 28 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Luka Doncic shone for the Mavericks, but his team fell just short. The game showcased emerging talents and sets the stage for promising matchups ahead.