Doncic, Mavs top Lakers 124-115 to celebrate Nowitzki statue

When retiring great Dirk Nowitzki appeared on the video boards late in the first half, the fans roared. At that point, Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks had been behind from the first basket.

It didn’t take long for Nowitzki’s old squad to show up to celebrate with him on the day his monument was unveiled.

Dallas Mavericks 124, Los Angeles Lakers 115: Doncic scored 32 points, while Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 16 of his 26 in a tremendous third quarter.

The Mavericks capped off the Nowitzki celebration with a win in only their second Christmas Day home game in club history, with Christian Wood adding 30 points and tying a career best with seven assists.

The 51 points scored by Dallas in the third quarter were the most ever scored in an NBA game on Christmas and the most in the NBA so far this season.

For several of the players, Christmas Day was their professional playing debut, so “we had to get the butterflies out a little bit,” Hardaway explained. It’s a matter of “being able to enjoy the chance.”

One point short of his season best, LeBron James scored 38 for the Lakers, who held a 12-point lead over the Mavericks early in the third quarter before ultimately losing.

With a 3-pointer from Wood, Dallas got within striking distance, and when Doncic had a chance to battle James at the rim, he instead passed to Hardaway, who hit a corner 3-pointer to give Dallas its first lead, 65-63.