Thompson's scorching first half fuels Mavericks' dominant win, surpassing 17,000 career points and showcasing electrifying offensive rhythm.
DALLAS — Another afternoon at American Airlines Center turned into a reminder of how quickly momentum can shift when shooting, pace, and confidence align. The Dallas Mavericks never trailed Saturday, riding a dominant first half from Klay Thompson to a 138-120 win over the Utah Jazz, a result that capped a 3-1 homestand and pushed Dallas to 17-26 heading into Monday’s MLK Day matchup against the New York Knicks.
The game was effectively decided early. Thompson scored all 23 of his points in the first half, doing it in just 20 minutes while knocking down six three-pointers and helping Dallas build a 71-59 halftime lead. By the time the third quarter ended, the Mavericks had stretched the margin to 106-94, with Utah never able to generate sustained defensive resistance.
Thompson’s night carried historical weight as well. With a first-quarter jumper, he surpassed 17,000 career points, becoming the 17th active player to reach the mark and adding to a week that already saw him climb to fourth on the NBA’s all-time three-pointers list.
After the game, head coach Jason Kidd framed Thompson’s milestones in simple terms, emphasizing both the results and the ripple effect they have on the rest of the roster.
“We gave him another ball. When we gotta buy more balls. And then every time he does something, we win,” Kidd said. “So we just gotta keep that tradition going. Again, his career—future Hall of Famer—you can see the energy and the fun that he’s having with this group, and it’s carrying over to the others. We need that energy, and again, we need that shooting.”
For Thompson, the scoring outburst reflected a mindset he has relied on throughout his career, particularly when shots begin to fall in bunches.
“Just give me the ball. I got this,” Thompson said. “My mindset is to try and get open, get my shoulders square, and let it fly. When I do that and shoot with confidence, it usually goes in. I got on a little heater at the end of that second quarter. It felt great. And you know, 23 points in 20 minutes is pretty good. So carry that same flow into New York City.”
Dallas’ offense extended well beyond Thompson. The Mavericks shot 53.8 percent from the field, went 18-of-41 from three-point range, and finished with 36 assists as the ball consistently moved side-to-side and out of the paint. The Mavericks also outscored Utah 30-13 in fast-break points, repeatedly turning stops into quick scoring opportunities.
The return of Max Christie played a significant role in that flow. After missing two games with an illness, Christie scored 22 points and drew defensive attention that opened space for others, particularly Thompson.
Christie described the night as much about appreciation as production.
“It just felt good to be back,” Christie said. “I was out for two games and you never realize how much you miss something until you don’t have it, so I missed the game for sure and it felt good to be back. I was excited to play today and I felt good to get a good win.”
When Thompson heated up, Christie said the approach on the floor became obvious.
“Get him the ball and get out of the way,” Christie said. “Set screens for him, get him open, and get him the ball. He had 23 points in 20 minutes. Obviously, he’s one of the best shooters ever, a Hall of Famer.”
The Mavericks also received balanced contributions across the lineup. Brandon Williams added 22 points and five assists, Naji Marshall finished with 16 points, five rebounds and six assists, Jaden Hardy scored 12 points, and Dwight Powell chipped in 10 points and eight rebounds. Dallas managed the performance despite missing Cooper Flagg, Anthony Davis, P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford.
As the Mavericks look ahead, Thompson pointed to ball movement as the common thread behind the recent surge.
“It’s contagious and it’s fun when everyone is looking for each other,” Thompson said. “When the ball is getting sprayed out from the paint to our shooters, that’s when we’re at our best. It’s been a great week in terms of ball movement and something we can lean on going into New York.”
For a team navigating injuries and inconsistency, Saturday offered clarity. When the ball moves, the pace stays high, and Thompson finds his rhythm, the Mavericks look far more settled—and far more dangerous.