Klay Thompson scored 23 points as Dallas beat Sacramento 120-106 in the play-in tournament and ended the Kings’ season.
Thompson hit five three-pointers, including four during a decisive second quarter that turned the game firmly in the Mavericks’ favour.
Dallas explodes for 44 in the second
Sacramento led by two after the opening quarter, but Dallas won the next period 44-19 and carried a 71-48 advantage into half-time.
Thompson scored 16 in the quarter and finished 8 of 11 from the field. Anthony Davis led Dallas with 27 points and nine rebounds.
P.J. Washington and Brandon Williams added 17 each as the Mavericks found pace, stops and open shots.
Thompson rewrites a painful memory
The win came exactly one year after Thompson’s final game for Golden State, when he missed all 10 shots in a play-in defeat at the same arena.
He said that ending gave him motivation, but his early focus was on passing, rebounding and defending before the shots began to fall.
The performance was his best response to a difficult season marked by the Luka Doncic trade and Kyrie Irving’s knee injury.
Kings season ends in Sacramento
DeMar DeRozan scored 33 for Sacramento and Zach LaVine added 20. Domantas Sabonis finished with 11 points and 13 rebounds.
The Kings missed the playoffs for the 18th time in 19 seasons. They parted company with general manager Monte McNair the next morning.
Dallas moved on to face Memphis for the West’s final playoff place, keeping an unsettled season alive for at least one more game.
