Dallas Mavericks Make NBA History With Wild Stat in Game 4 Loss to Clippers

The Mavericks made history with a unique stat en route to a five-point loss in Game 4

Jan 3, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) and guard Luka Doncic (77) / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Mavericks might have taken part in the most electric NBA playoff game so far during the 2024 campaign. They took a 116-111 loss to the LA Clippers in Game 4, evening the series up at 2-2, meaning the game will see a minimum of six games and one more home game per team.

The Mavericks splitting the games in Dallas feels like a missed opportunity. Had they swept the Dallas matchups, they'd have a 3-1 lead over the Clippers heading back to Los Angeles. Still, the entertaining series is close and could go either way.

Again, it wasn't like it was a blowout loss for the Mavericks in Game 4. They had a 20-plus point comeback with the American Airlines Center never wavering when it came to the energy from the fans. It was a tight battle down the stretch with elite shot-making from both sides.

The Mavericks also happened to make history with a very unique stat, according to OptaSTATS. They're the first team to have one player score 40 or more points (Kyrie Irving), with another posting a triple-double in a regulation NBA playoff game (Luka Doncic).

The Mavericks are the first team ever to lose an NBA playoff game in regulation while having one player score 40+ points (Kyrie Irving) and another have a triple-double (Luka Doncic). pic.twitter.com/l5kJA7AdKK

— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) April 28, 2024

Kyrie Irving finished the contest with 40 points on 14-of-25 shooting, knocking down 6 of his 12 shots from beyond the arc. Tacking on seven rebounds and five assists, Irving simply had it going offensively in the near-comeback.

Luka Doncic didn't shoot efficiently, going 10-of-24 from the field and 1-of-9 on 3-pointers, but he finished with 29 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists to secure the triple-double.

Again, Doncic wasn't all that efficient, but his impact was there. Irving was spectacular, and the team's supporting cast did enough for the Mavericks to take a lead during the fourth quarter during the comeback attempt, though it didn't hold.

Game 5 should be an entertaining contest, though it'll be a challenge for the Mavericks as they head back to Los Angeles on Wednesday night.

READ MORE: Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic Feels He's 'Letting Down' Kyrie Irving Against Clippers

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