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NBA highlights for March 29: In the Mavs’ victory, “Uncle Drew” steals the show.

The Dallas Mavericks secured a 107-103 victory over the Sacramento Kings at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California, on Friday, extending their winning streak to six games and reinforcing their sixth-place standing in the Western Conference.

Following their recent defeat to the Mavericks at home on Tuesday, the Kings displayed resilience and determination on both offense and defense from the outset of Friday’s game. Domantas Sabonis showcased aggressive play against Daniel Gafford, accumulating six points and four assists in the opening quarter.

Harrison Barnes and Keon Ellis emerged as pleasant surprises for the Kings in the initial period, with both players contributing 11 points each. Barnes demonstrated efficiency in the paint, converting four of his five attempts, while Ellis impressed from beyond the arc, sinking three triples out of four tries. Additionally, the Kings effectively applied defensive pressure on Luka Doncic by consistently double-teaming him, irrespective of his position on the court.

Doncic, visibly hampered by a right knee issue during Friday’s game, displayed reduced speed in his penetrations. Despite shooting 1-for-3 from the field and scoring five points in the first quarter, he managed to provide four assists. Alongside Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II, Doncic spearheaded the Mavericks’ offensive efforts, while P.J. Washington, Derrick Jones Jr., and Gafford had limited impact.

Although the Kings held a 15-point lead (51-36) at one point in the first half, they were unable to extend their advantage further. The premature departure of Malik Monk, a key bench contributor, due to an injury sustained from a collision with Doncic, disrupted their momentum, allowing the Mavericks to mount a comeback.

The Mavericks’ defensive strategy focused on double-teaming Sabonis in the low post, effectively limiting his offensive output after the first quarter. Despite Sabonis recording a triple-double with 12 rebounds and 10 assists, his scoring contributions decreased, resulting in a 39 percent shooting efficiency for the Kings in the final three quarters.

To counter the Kings’ defensive adjustments, the Mavericks relied on Doncic’s offensive prowess. Utilizing his threat of penetration, Doncic capitalized on step-back three-pointers, converting four of seven attempts from the second to the fourth quarters. Furthermore, he demonstrated aggressiveness in driving to the basket, drawing fouls and converting free throws.

In the fourth quarter, Irving, despite briefly leaving the court due to a knee issue, delivered an explosive offensive performance, scoring 14 points on perfect shooting from the field and the free-throw line. His contribution propelled the Mavericks to outscore the Kings 34-21 in the final quarter, securing the victory.

Irving’s stellar performance also marked a personal milestone, as he surpassed 17,000 career points, becoming the 103rd player in NBA history and the 12th active player to achieve this feat.

In other Friday games, the New York Knicks fell short against the San Antonio Spurs, despite Jalen Brunson’s remarkable 61-point performance, with Victor Wembanyama of the Spurs also delivering an outstanding performance with 40 points and 20 rebounds, making it a historic matchup reminiscent of a game in the early years of the NBA.