Mavericks Edge Pelicans 137-136 as Klay Thompson Shines in Clutch Win

DALLAS, Texas — The Dallas Mavericks narrowly defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 137-136 in a high-scoring thriller on Wednesday night, fueled by a resurgent performance from Klay Thompson. The victory marked the Mavericks’ second consecutive win as they continue to navigate the absence of star Luka Dončić.

Thompson, who joined the Mavericks this season after 13 years with the Golden State Warriors, delivered 20 points, including six three-pointers, and added four rebounds and one assist. His performance was pivotal in securing the win, as Dallas improved to 26-22 and maintained their position as the eighth seed in the Western Conference.

“We’re making an emphasis to get him involved and to keep him involved throughout the game,” said Kyrie Irving, Thompson’s teammate, after the game. “He’s one of those emergency buttons for us.” Irving, a future Hall of Famer, praised Thompson’s ability to step up in critical moments, highlighting his role as a key offensive weapon.

The Mavericks have struggled in close games since Dončić suffered an injury on Christmas Day, posting a 7-12 record in his absence. However, the team has shown resilience, particularly in their recent efforts to integrate Thompson more effectively into their offense. Over the past two games, Thompson has attempted 15 field goals in each, a significant increase from his earlier performances this season.

Head coach Jason Kidd has emphasized creating more opportunities for Thompson through off-ball actions, such as pin-downs, back screens, and cross screens. “We set screens, we ran stuff for him,” Kidd said. “He responded in a positive way. Klay is very unselfish… [his teammates] made a conscious effort to get him going early, and he made the game easier for everybody else.”

Thompson’s resurgence comes at a crucial time for the Mavericks, who are looking to build momentum ahead of the playoffs. The four-time NBA champion is averaging 13.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game this season, shooting 41.7% from the field and 39.6% from beyond the arc. His ability to stretch the floor and create scoring opportunities has been a game-changer for Dallas.

Despite the win, the Mavericks still face challenges, particularly in their depth at the wing and big man positions. The return of Naji Marshall, who contributed five points after missing four games due to illness, provided a boost, but the team remains far from fully healthy.

Dallas will look to extend their winning streak when they face the Detroit Pistons on Saturday in Michigan. With the All-Star break approaching, the Mavericks aim to solidify their playoff positioning and continue refining their offense around Thompson and Irving.