After Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks lost in five to the Boston Celtics in the 2024 NBA Finals, many questioned the superstar’s defensive effort throughout the best-of-seven series. Some considered him a defensive liability, and the Celtics targeted him for unfavorable matchups.

However, Doncic appeared in the best shape of his career while on tour overseas during the offseason, and he looks even better now, especially against Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski.

In the Mavericks’ 144-133 win over the Warriors, Doncic’s defensive stop against Podziemski went viral. Then he converted it into a bucket on the opposite end of the floor, granting the Mavs a 12-point lead (132-120) midway through the final quarter.

Klay Thompson drained one of his seven threes. Doncic never gave up on the play, pushing the ball up the floor as the Mavs had a five-on-four advantage to collect an assist off Thompson's three with Brandin Podziemski still in the backcourt.

Doncic’s incredible triple-double (45 points, 13 assists, 11 rebounds) marked a season-high in points and will be remembered as one of his signature performances of 2024-25.

The Mavericks and Warriors made NBA history for most threes (48) combined in a single game in Sunday’s matchup. Thompson shot 7-for-11 from deep and led the Mavs’ 21 threes, including Doncic’s 6-for-11, Quentin Grimes’ 4-for-8, and PJ Washington’s 2-for-4.

Stephen Curry’s 7-for-13 en route to 26 points led the Warriors. Andrew Wiggins, who finished with a team-high 29 points, connected on 5-of-9 from deep as the Warriors finished with 27 threes.

Article Continues Below
More Dallas Mavericks News
Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd reacts during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at American Airlines Center.
NBA rumors: Marc Stein predicts if Jason Kidd is ‘secretly angling’ to leave Mavericks for KnicksPreston Byers ·
Jason Kidd met with Phil Jackson over the summer
NBA rumors: What some with Mavericks believe Knicks will decide with Jason KiddJulian Ojeda ·
image thumbnail
Mavericks trade proposal lands Jrue Holiday from CelticsJedd Pagaduan ·
Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd yells to his team during the second half against the Sacramento Kings at the American Airlines Center.
Mavericks rumors: What really irked Jason Kidd after Luka Doncic tradeGuillermo Guajardo ·
Cooper Flagg (51) participates in the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena.
Mavericks news: Kyrie Irving’s ‘connected’ Cooper Flagg revelation before NBA DraftMalik Brown ·
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd and New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the New York Knicks at the American Airlines Center
NBA rumors: Brian Windhorst claims ‘mutual interest’ between Jason Kidd, KnicksJosue Pavon ·

Klay Thompson hints at four-point line after win vs. Warriors

Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) and Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson (31) greet each other after the game at Chase Center
Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Thompson didn’t receive the same Warriors fanfare compared to his first game as a visiting team member, but that didn’t stop him from having a phenomenal performance. Thompson finished with 29 points, five rebounds, four assists, and a pair of steals against his former team.

After the win, Thompson talked about the high three-point shooting volume reaching a historic rate and suggested perhaps the NBA take things one step further by implementing a four-point line at some point, per Dallas Morning News’ Mike Curtis.

“That’s good because I saw what Charlotte & Chicago did [75 combined missed 3s], so it’s nice to counter that because a lot of fans think too many 3s are being attempted, so it was nice to show that shooting is still incredible in this league,” Thompson said. “I really believe as this game gets longer as far as years played, maybe there’ll be a four-point line one day.”

Luka Doncic and the Mavericks will host the Clippers on Thursday.