It's time for Game 2 of the first round of the Mavericks vs. Clippers playoff series.
Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving and the Mavericks hope to avoid a 2-0 series on the road. Kawhi Leonard, who missed Los Angeles' 109-97 Game 1 victory, is scheduled to make his 2024 postseason debut on Tuesday night.
Read below for the latest updates from our writers as Dallas continues its playoff run.
game updates
End of 2nd quarter (Mavericks 45, Clippers 41): At halftime, the Mavericks held a four-point lead in Los Angeles. Doncic led Dallas with 18 points, getting scoring help from Kyrie Irving (7 points) and Derrick Jones Jr. (9 points).
The Mavericks look different from the first half of Game 1, emphasizing strong defense against 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, and Kawhi Leonard scored four points in his return from a knee injury.
The Clippers are shooting 34% from the field while Dallas is shooting 43% from the field.
2nd Quarter (6:35 remaining): With Gafford back on the court, the Mavs breathed a sigh of relief. After his return was deemed questionable, Gafford returned to the bench with a heating pad wrapped around his waist. Dallas holds a 37-30 lead.
End of 1st quarter (Mavericks 23, Clippers 19): The Mavericks play a fast-paced defense. Dallas is looking for stability on offense, holding the Clippers to just 25% from the field in the first quarter. A notable injury was that of starting center Daniel Gafford, whose return was deemed questionable early in the first period of the game.
1st Quarter (5:28 remaining): If the first minutes of the game are any indication, Game 2 could be a tense defensive battle. Mavericks center Daniel Gafford ran into several Clippers defenders in the paint, briefly grabbing his back before heading back to the locker room. Dallas holds a 9-8 lead.
Pre-match update
– Clippers starters: James Harden, Terrence Mann, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Ivica Zubac
– Mavericks starters: Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Derrick Jones Jr., PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford.
– Clippers coach Tyronn Lue says Kawhi Leonard will be available for Game 2.
pre-game reading
– Clippers star Kawhi Leonard to make 2024 NBA Playoffs debut in Game 2 against Mavericks
– Could Mavericks forward Josh Green emerge as a playoff contributor after a strong fourth quarter?
– Dallas Mavericks' Derek Lively II makes emotional playoff debut after his mother's death
– Mavericks need to adjust mindset whether Kawhi Leonard plays or not
– Where does Mavericks' Luka Doncic rank in the MVP race? NBA players vote in anonymous survey
Read more Mavericks coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
