NBA: Depleted Mavericks upset Lakers to end 5-game slide

Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (25) drives past Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

DALLAS — Quinten Grimes had 26 points, nine rebounds and six assists as the Dallas Mavericks snapped a five-game skid with a 118-97 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night.

Grimes matched his career high with six 3-pointers on 6-for-11 shooting. P.J. Washington shot 9 for 14 and finished with 22 points and eight rebounds for the Mavs, who shot 52% (18 of 38) from the field.

The Mavericks ended their losing streak without their top scorers. Luka Doncic has been out with a left calf strain since Dec. 25, and Kyrie Irving has been sidelined the past two games with a bulging disk in his back.

READ: NBA: Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving out due to bulging disk in back

Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 21 points and 12 rebounds. LeBron James added 18 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists. Los Angeles lost its second straight and for the third time in five games.

Takeaways

Lakers: Los Angeles was 11 of 35 from 3-point range and shot 45% overall from the field. The Lakers were outrebounded 44-33 and trailed by as many as 21 points.

Mavericks: Dallas hadn’t lost six consecutive games since Jan. 23-Feb. 1, 2021.

READ: NBA: Mavericks’ Doncic out about a month before being re-evaluated

Key moment

The Mavs finished the first half on an 11-0 run to take a five-point lead. They kept it going early in the third quarter, building a 16-point advantage with three minutes remaining in the period.

Key stat

The Mavericks’ reserves outscored the Lakers bench 50-25, including 38 combined points from Grimes and Jaden Hardy.

Up next

The Lakers start a five-game homestand against the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday. The Mavericks host the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday.