It wasn't a great day to be a Dallas Mavericks fan on Sunday night. Luka Doncic and co.'s 111-108 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers was already tough on its face, but the manner in which they lost made it all the more excruciating.

At one point, the Mavs were up 48-21 on the visiting Lakers midway through the second quarter. Teams blow double-digit leads all the time, but a 27-point difference has been a death knell even in today's high-scoring era. Dallas became the first team who led by 27 or more points this season to eventually lose the game in 139 instances.

Article Continues Below
More Dallas Mavericks News
Cooper Flagg participates in the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena.
Mavericks rumors: Dallas’ immediate Chris Paul plans after drafting Cooper FlaggZachary Weinberger ·
May 14, 2025; Chicago, Il, USA; Cooper Flagg talks to the media during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Marriott Marquis Chicago. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
Duke will extend NBA Draft record with Cooper Flagg going No. 1Russell Steinberg ·
Cooper Flagg talks to the media during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Marriott Marquis Chicago.
Mavericks set to join Bulls, Lakers, Blazers in NBA Draft historyColin Loughran ·
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving sits on the bench against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half.
Kyrie Irving sends message to ‘MFFL’ ahead of 2025 NBA DraftDavid Yapkowitz ·
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) looks on during the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at the American Airlines Center.
Mavericks rumors: What Marc Stein is hearing about Kyrie Irving’s $44 million contract decisionRichard Pereira ·
Dallas Mavericks center Dwight Powell (7) warms up before the game against the Brooklyn Nets at the American Airlines Center.
Mavericks’ Dwight Powell makes final decision on 2025-26 contract optionJoey Mistretta ·

With the game seemingly out of reach, the Mavs loosened their grip far too early. After a Christian Wood three-pointer gave them the 27-point lead with seven minutes and change left in the second quarter, LA closed the first half on a 26-13 run that cut the deficit to just 14 at halftime. Still a big lead, but far from insurmountable.

Luka Doncic and the Mavs are precariously perched on the sixth and final guaranteed playoff spot in the West and now hold a slim half-game lead over the Golden State Warriors with the loss. Falling into the play-in tournament could bring a nightmare scenario for Dallas if they get forced to play the new and improved Lakers team that just beat them or a team that will eventually welcome an All-Star back in the Warriors, New Orleans Pelicans, or Minnesota Timberwolves.

Keeping the other teams at bay will be crucial for a Mavs team that went all-in with the Kyrie Irving trade.