Oh no, the Warriors have not yet validated their ticket for the “play-in”! However, the Rockets lost to the Heat, but Stephen Curry's teammates still need a victory to be assured of finishing in the Top 10 of their conference. A success that eluded them last night as they lost 108-106 on the floor of Dallas.
Yet deprived of Luka Doncic, the Mavericks signed a 13th victory in 15 matches, and they can thank PJ Washington, author of the winning basket four seconds from the end. After leading by 16 points in the first quarter, and another 10 with six minutes remaining (98-88), the Mavericks trembled until the end.
The fault first of Brandin Podziemski who sends, in quick succession, Draymond Green then Gary Payton II to dunk with sequences worthy of the best years of the Warriors. Stephen Curry takes over, and the Warriors are only four points behind with two minutes remaining (103-99). Time for “money time”, and it’s Kyrie Irving who strikes first. Very embarrassed by Payton, then Green, he still managed, at the 24-second limit, to perform a “pull-up jumper” on his opposite hand. Golden State responds with Payton, on a marvelous pass from Green (105-101).
There are 90 seconds left to play, and after a miss from Dante Exum, Curry cools the room with a 3-pointer with his foot on the logo! In first intention… The Warriors came back to one point (105-104). Behind Curry misses a quick 3-pointer, and we find him to play the strong pass on PJ Washington. The referees whistle a foul. Steve Kerr asks for the “challenge”. In slow motion, we see that Curry has raised his heel, and Washington only makes one shot out of two (106-104).
Klay Thompson misses his shot at the buzzer
There are 22 seconds left to play. The Warriors can wait until the end of the possession to win. But Chris Paul finds Stephen Curry, who surprises his defender with a mid-range shot at zero degrees. Golden State equalizes: 106-106. The Mavericks have 12 seconds to regain control. We are monitoring Kyrie Irving, and it is Tim Hardaway who resolves the situation. He sinks into the defense and finds Washington under the circle. The former Charlotte interior gives back control to the Mavericks (108-106). But there are four seconds left…
Chris Paul finds Stephen Curry on the throw-in, but it's impossible to take a decent shot, and it's ultimately Klay Thompson who plays the winner at the buzzer. He fails, and the Mavericks end the Warriors' away winning streak.
What you must remember
– The great operation of the Mavericks. Thanks to this victory, combined with the defeats of the Kings and the Pelicans, the Mavericks take a break in the race for the playoffs. They remain 5th, and move away from the “play-in” with two fewer defeats than New Orleans with four matches remaining.
– The Warriors diminished. Stephen Curry's players are not yet guaranteed to finish at least 10th. They are missing a victory, but they will have to grit their teeth since Andrew Wiggins, injured in an ankle the day before, joined Jonathan Kuminga in the infirmary. The good news is that Gary Payton II is in great shape, and that Chris Paul has not lost any of his outlook.
– PJ Washington, the hero. Not content with signing his best match under his new colors, PJ Washington planted 32 points at 12 out of 18 on shots. Author of the winning basket, he also blackened the sheet with 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 interceptions and 2 blocks!
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
