LOS ANGELES (AP) – Austin Reaves propelled the Los Angeles Lakers to a 129-119 victory over โฃthe Dallas Mavericksโข on Friday night, scoring a game-high 38 points as the Lakers extended their winning streak to six โขgames and swept NBA Cup group play, securing a home quarterfinal. The win was especially notable as it marked Anthony Davis‘โ first game in Los Angeles sence โขbeingโค traded to the Mavericks 10 months ago.
Davis finished with 13 points and five reboundsโ while playingโ under a minutes restriction.Despite Davis’ return and a โstrong performance from Luka Doncic, who had 35 points and 11 assists in hisโค third game against his formerโข team, the Mavericks dropped their fifth game in six contests. โThe Lakers’ second-half surge, fueledโฃ by Reaves (19 second-half points) and Doncic (17 second-halfโ points), proved decisive.
Reaves’ six โค3-pointers and DoncicS fourโ helpedโฃ the lakers overcome a narrow Dallas lead late in the fourth quarter. A 13-1 run, โfeaturing keyโค baskets from Reaves and Deandre Ayton (17 points), sealed โคthe victory.LeBron James contributed 13 points, including aโข crucial 3-pointer with two minutes โremaining.
P.J. Washington led Dallas with 22 points, while Ryan Nembhard added 17. Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg impressed with 13 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds. The Lakers’ win secures their โposition asโ a top contender inโ the NBA Cup tournament, while the Mavericks face continued challenges integrating Davis into their lineup.
The Mavericks will continue theirโ road trip Saturday night at โthe Los Angeles Clippers. The Lakers will host the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday night.
