Klay Thompson's historic shooting propels the Mavericks to a dominant win, cementing his place among the NBA's greatest three-point threats.
DALLAS — Klay Thompson’s shooting binge turned a bounce-back night into a milestone moment, lifting the Dallas Mavericks to their most emphatic win of the season and into the NBA record books along the way.
The Mavericks erupted for a season-high 144 points Thursday night, overwhelming the Utah Jazz 144-122 behind Thompson’s season-best 26 points and a barrage of perimeter shooting at American Airlines Center. Dallas snapped back from a loss the night before and did so shorthanded, playing without rookie standout Cooper Flagg, who sprained his left ankle Wednesday against Denver.
Thompson’s night carried both immediate and historical weight. He knocked down six 3-pointers, matching his season high, and moved into fourth place on the NBA’s all-time list for made 3s, passing Damian Lillard. Only Stephen Curry, James Harden, and Ray Allen remain ahead.
Dallas finished with 19 made 3-pointers, its most this season, and punished a Utah defense that entered the night allowing the most points and 3-pointers per game in the league. The Mavericks scored at least 35 points in three different quarters and reached 30 points in all four periods for just the second time this season.
Naji Marshall continued his surge with 22 points, his third straight 20-point performance, as Dallas improved to 16-26. The Mavericks also set season highs in bench production, getting 65 points from reserves, with Thompson headlining that effort.
Utah, playing its second straight game without leading scorer Lauri Markkanen due to illness, fell to 14-27. Brice Sensabaugh led the Jazz with 27 points, but the game was largely out of reach by halftime as Dallas built momentum with pace, ball movement, and defensive activity that produced 13 steals.
The victory marked Dallas’ largest margin of the season and gave the Mavericks a 1-2 edge in the season series with the Jazz, with the teams set to meet again Saturday in Dallas.
With so many regulars sidelined, the night also became a showcase of depth and opportunity. Moussa Cissé delivered his first career double-double with 10 points, a career-high 13 rebounds, and three blocks. Dwight Powell climbed into the top 10 on the franchise’s all-time rebounds list, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl made a strong season debut with 12 points and seven rebounds.
After the game, Thompson reflected on the significance of moving up the 3-point leaderboard and the perspective that comes with longevity.
Thompson, discussing his place alongside the game’s elite shooters, said the moment carried special meaning.
“We haven't spoke about it, but it's always cordial when we see each other,” Thompson said of Lillard. “And pretty cool to be on such an elite list with a short list with some of the greatest players to ever play. And I feel for Dame, I know what he is going through. It's never fun, but he'll come back and he'll still bomb away like he always has.”
Later, Thompson traced the milestone back to a simple foundation.
“Just my love for the game,” he said. “I love shooting the basketball. I was very lucky to grow up with a hoop in my driveway… it was always my source of joy and a form of escapism for me.”
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd emphasized how Thompson’s leadership rippled through a lineup missing key contributors.
“Great team win. Great bounce back from last night,” Kidd said. “But I thought Klay was the leader of the group… the energy that the guys played off of getting him the ball.”
Kidd also highlighted the broader significance of a night filled with individual milestones.
“When you look at DP and what he means to this franchise… you look at what Klay has done in his career and for him to move up on the three-point list is incredible,” Kidd said. “So it's really cool to be a part of.”
For Cissé, the performance was the result of patience meeting opportunity.
“It’s my preparation,” Cissé said. “I come here every day and work, be able to prepare myself mentally and physically to be ready at any time.”
The Mavericks will look to carry that energy forward Saturday when they face the Jazz again, hoping that a night defined by balance, history, and resilience can mark a turning point in the season’s grind.