NBA roundup: Dončić puts on another show for the Mavs, Curry leads Warriors to road win

Dallas, Texas - Luka Dončić produced yet another spectacular performance on Monday as he carried the Dallas Mavericks with 53 points in a 111-105 home win against the Detroit Pistons in the NBA.

Dallas Mavericks star Luka Dončić scored 53 points in a 111-105 home win against the Detroit Pistons.
Dallas Mavericks star Luka Dončić scored 53 points in a 111-105 home win against the Detroit Pistons.  © USA TODAY Sports

The 23-year-old Slovenian returned to the lineup after missing the Mavericks' loss against the Utah Jazz on Saturday, and he looked on track for a big one from the jump.

Dončić scored 24 of Dallas' 30 points in the first quarter, but the team found themselves trailing at half-time as the rest of the Mavericks struggled on the offensive end.

By the end of the third frame, Dallas trailed by one as Dončić had 45 points and none of his team-mates had more than eight, but the Mavericks were able to hold the Pistons to 21 points in the final period to pull out the narrow victory.

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Dončić shot 17-of-24 from the field for his 53 points – the second-most he has ever scored in an NBA game – while adding eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals. He had 41 points more than his closest team-mate, Spencer Dinwiddie with 12.

It was the fifth time in his career that Dončić has reached 50 points, and the fourth since December 23, after posting games of 50, 51, and 60 points in the last nine days of 2022.

The win helped the Mavericks improve their record to 27-25, sitting sixth in the Western Conference, while the Pistons are dead last in the East at 13-39.

Around the league: Curry silences the Thunder, Orlando's Fultz makes winning return to Philly

Steph Curry put up 38 points for the Golden State Warriors against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Steph Curry put up 38 points for the Golden State Warriors against the Oklahoma City Thunder.  © USA TODAY Sports

Steph Curry was at his best in the Golden State Warriors' 128-120 road win against the Oklahoma City Thunder, leading both teams in points and assists.

The reigning NBA Finals MVP finished with 38 points on 12-of-20 shooting, while also dishing 12 assists and snatching eight rebounds in a masterful display.

He was supported well by his Splash Brother, Klay Thompson, who chipped in 28 points on 10-of-21 shooting, as the duo combined to hit 14-of-28 from three-point range.

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They locked horns with the Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who maintained the fifth-best scoring average in the league (30.9 per game) by scoring 31 on 10-of-24 shooting with seven assists and three blocks.

Orlando Magic guard Markelle Fultz posted his first double-double of the season as the former number one overall had a successful first road game against the Philadelphia 76ers since being traded from the franchise in 2019.

Fultz finished with 12 points and 10 assists, helping to ignite a 77-47 second-half demolition on the way to a 119-109 upset win.

The star for the Magic was their other top overall pick, as rookie Paolo Banchero scored a team-high 29 points on 11-of-22 shooting while adding nine rebounds, three assists, a block, and a steal.

Joel Embiid was terrific for the 76ers, dropping 30 points (11-of-20), 11 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocks, but his scoring average for the season dropped to 33.6. He still leads the league, but Doncic (33.4) is hot on his tail.

Cover photo: Collage: USA TODAY Sports

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