Full coverage: Mavs’ stars step up in fourth quarter, close out Game 2 win vs. Clippers

The Dallas Mavericks handled business Tuesday night and now own homecourt advantage.

A 96-93 Game 2 win over the Clippers meant the first-round playoff series is tied at 1-1. Dallas returns to American Airlines Center to host Games 3 and 4. The Mavericks got huge performances from their star-studded backcourt duo, seeing Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving step up in the fourth to clinch the victory.

Doncic and Irving combined for 55 points, helping the Mavericks even things up.

Follow below for updates from our writers as Dallas’ playoff push continues:

Game stories

- 5 thoughts from Mavericks-Clippers Game 2: Pivotal win as series moves to Dallas

- Luka Doncic wills Mavericks to win — with his defense? ‘It’s playoffs; it’s different’-

- Fueled by passion, Luka Doncic’s clutch 3 helps Mavs even series: ‘It was a big moment’

- What the Clippers said after Mavericks win Game 2, tie series at 1-1

Game updates

Final: Mavericks 96, Clippers 90 (Series tied at 1-1)

End of fourth quarter: When the Mavericks needed their stars to deliver, they stepped up. Luka Doncic was key in the game’s final stretch, hitting a 3-point dagger that gave Dallas the momentum to close it out.

Dallas outscored the Clippers 31-27, rebounding successfully after Los Angeles began pulling away in the third. Dallas now has homecourt advantage for Games 3 and 4 at American Airlines Center.

Fourth quarter (7:01 remaining): The Mavericks are slowly regaining momentum, embarking on a 9-0 run to go up by three points. Doncic hit one of his patented stepback 3-pointers to put Dallas ahead 76-73.

Fourth quarter (9:32 remaining): Los Angeles has struggled most of the night from beyond the arc, but a Norman Powell 3-pointer is giving the Clippers some breathing room in the fourth. After Powell’s attempt from deep, Russell Westbrook found Ivica Zubac for a floater to give the Clippers a six-point lead. Los Angeles is up 73-67.

End of third quarter (Clippers 66, Mavericks 65): There’s little to no separation heading into the fourth. After Doncic helped Dallas tie things up with a contested layup, he was called for a technical foul that sent Harden to the free-throw line. Harden made the shot to give Los Angeles the narrow lead. Doncic leads all scorers with 25 points.

Third quarter (6:52 remaining): Gafford is back on the court, but Dallas has another injury to keep an eye on. The team announced that Tim Hardaway Jr. was ruled out with a right ankle sprain in the third quarter. Hardaway went down awkwardly after taking a 3-point shot in the second quarter. He tried walking it off near the bench, but couldn’t return to the game.

End of second quarter (Mavericks 45, Clippers 41): It’s halftime in Los Angeles and the Mavericks are nursing a four-point lead. Doncic leads Dallas with 18 points, receiving some scoring help from Kyrie Irving (seven points) and Derrick Jones Jr. (nine points).

The Mavericks have a different look from their first half in Game 1, emphasizing strong defense on Los Angeles’ deep group of scoring options. James Harden and Paul George combined for 22 points on 8-of-16 shooting in the first half, while Kawhi Leonard has scored four in his return from a knee injury.

The Clippers have connected on 34% of their shots, while Dallas is shooting 43% from the field.

Second quarter (6:35 remaining): The Mavs can breathe a sigh of relief as Gafford has returned to the court. After being ruled questionable to return, Gafford made his way back to the bench with a heating pad wrapped around his lower back. Dallas owns a 37-30 lead.

End of first quarter (Mavericks 23, Clippers 19): The Mavericks are setting the done with fast-paced defense. Dallas held the Clippers to 25% shooting from the field in the first quarter and is looking to find consistency on the offensive end. An injury to watch is that of starting center Daniel Gafford, who was ruled questionable to return early in the game’s first period.

First quarter (5:28 remaining): If the game’s first few minutes are an indicator, Game 2 could be a tight defensive battle. After meeting a few Clippers defenders in the paint, Mavericks center Daniel Gafford headed back to the locker room after grabbing at his back for a short moment. Dallas holds a 9-8 lead.

Pregame updates

- Clippers starters: James Harden, Terrance Mann, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Ivica Zubac

- Mavericks starters: Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Derrick Jones Jr., P.J. Washington, Daniel Gafford

- Clippers coach Tyronn Lue says Kawhi Leonard is available for Game 2.

Pregame reading

- Clippers star Kawhi Leonard making 2024 NBA playoff debut in Game 2 vs. Mavericks

- Could Mavericks’ Josh Green, after a strong 4th quarter, emerge as a playoff contributor?

- Dallas Mavericks’ Dereck Lively II had an emotional playoff debut after his mother’s death

- Mavericks need to adjust their mindset, whether or not Kawhi Leonard plays

- Where does Mavericks’ Luka Doncic stand in MVP race? NBA players vote in anonymous survey

Find more Mavericks coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.