Luka Doncic’s impeccable offense and playmaking was in full display, Kyrie Irving got his groove going, and Klay Thompson splashed his way to a solid debut.
The new Dallas “Big Three” came to play and kicked off the Mavericks’ revenge tour with a bang.
Doncic, Irving, and Thompson combined for 65 points in a sizzling 120-109 season-opening dub against Victor Wembanyama and San Antonio Spurs on Friday, October 25 (PH Time).
The Slovenian superstar was just two assists shy of a triple-double--finishing with 23 markers, 10 rebounds, and eight dimes to lead the Mavericks, who won their fifth straight against the Spurs dating back to last season.
Dallas rode a blitzing start to the fourth, outscoring San Antonio, 24-10 in the first six minutes of the period to that padded a 87-80 lead into a 111-90 cushion. The Spurs cut the Maverick's once 14-point lead in the third to just seven points entering the final frame.
"He's looking at you and I."
— NBA (@NBA) October 25, 2024
Luka knows his new teammate Klay is MONEY from deep!
19 for Thompson in his Mavs debut on TNT 🔥 pic.twitter.com/uBn3yvDnf9
They hit 21 threes, led by as much as 21 points, and spoiled Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes's Spurs debut.
Thompson had himself a solid debut with 22 points spiked on six threes, setting a new franchise record for the most threes made in Mavericks debut, alongside seven rebounds and three steals.
SIX THREES NOW FOR KLAY.
— NBA (@NBA) October 25, 2024
LUKA LOOKS AWAY AGAIN.
FUN. https://t.co/gaALw8Pi8A pic.twitter.com/tpUNGeP5QW
Irving and big man Derek Lively scored 15 points each, with PJ Washington and Jaden Hardy combining for 22 points.
Meanwhile, Wembanyama, the reigning unanimous Rookie of Year, chipped in 17 points but struggled from the field going 5-of 18 for San Antonio.
The French phenom is a coming off a silver medal finish from the Paris 2024 Olympics with France but had a rough start in his sophomore season.
Barnes also tallied 17 markers while Paul had three points, seven rebounds and eight dimes with Jeremy Sochan and Julian Champagnie paced the offense with 18 apiece.
It was the same outcome for the Spurs in their season-opener game just like last year when they fell to the Mavericks in a 126-119 loss at home.
The Mavericks will travel to Phoenix and play Kevin Durant and the Suns while the Spurs host state rival Houston Rockets.
