Dončić, Hardaway Jr. combine for 81 as Mavs pull off comeback vs. Magic

A 45-point, 15-assist double-double courtesy of Luka Dončić helped the Dallas Mavericks erase a 16-point deficit to overcome the Orlando Magic 131-129 at the American Airlines Center.

Dončić finished with 45 points on 12-of-23 shooting, nine rebounds, and 15 assists just three nights on from his 73-point eruption versus the Hawks.

He joins James Harden as the only other player in NBA history to finish a game with 45+ points, 9+ rebounds, and 15+ assists in a single game.

He was not the only Maverick to enjoy a standout night with Tim Hardaway Jr. putting up 36 points and eight rebounds on 11-of-17 shooting whilst Dereck Lively II (20 points, 11 rebounds) and Jaden Hardy (20 points on 8-of-9 shooting, seven assists) were also crucial.

The rest of the team finished with just 10 points on 4-of-11 shooting.

A 77-point first half saw the Magic leap out to a 16-point halftime advantage before the Mavs came storming back into it courtesy of an extended 31-9 run.

Having been held to just a dozen points in the third, Orlando responded with a 40-point fourth quarter but fell short of a needed win after Franz Wagner’s desperation three missed at the buzzer.

Despite hitting on 18 of their 38 threes, adding 14 second chance points, and scoring 24 points off turnovers, the Magic were unable to get it done.

Dallas attempted 43 free throws and shot over 62 per cent from the field – both season-highs – whilst hitting on 13 of their 27 three-point tries.

Paolo Banchero (36 points, nine rebounds) led the way for Orlando alongside Franz Wagner (21 points, six assists) and Anthony Black (20 points, 7-of-9 shooting).

The Magic are in San Antonio on Thursday to face the Spurs whilst the Mavericks match up against the No. 1 seed Timberwolves the same day.

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