The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 114-101 in Game 6 of the first round of the 2023-2024 NBA Western Conference playoffs at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, on the 4th (Korea time).

Dallas, which recorded four wins and two losses overall, advanced to the second round. It repaid the pain of being eliminated after losing to the Clippers in the playoffs for two consecutive years in 2020 and 2021. Dallas, which advanced to the second round, will face the Oklahoma City Thunder for the Western Final.

Kyrie Irving and Luca Doncic were the troubleshooters. Notably, Irving only had one successful field goal in the first half, but scored 13 points in the third quarter alone, and had a four-point play at the side stepback five minutes and 38 seconds before the end of the game. In addition, he garnered two steals and two block shots in defense, boasting his presence as both offense and defense.

Irving had 30 points, six rebounds, four assists, two assists, two steals, and Doncic had 28 points, seven rebounds, and 13 assists. PJ Washington had 14 points, five rebounds, two assists, two assists, and Daniel Garford also had 13 points and six rebounds to help his team win.

Five players including Norman Powell (20 points, four rebounds) scored double digits for the Clippers. However, they fell behind in the one-two punch game against Dallas. Paul George (18 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, 3P 2/10) and James Harden (16 points, seven rebounds, 13 assists, two steals, 3P 0/6) recorded 18 points and 16 points, respectively.

Dallas was the first to go ahead. Doncic aggressively targeted the rim when his initial 3-pointer did not go in, and led the team's offense. Doncic accumulated 18 points in the first half alone through breakthrough and free throws. Washington's three points combined with Garford's under-the-basket goal to take the lead. At one point, the gap between the two teams widened to 13 points.

However, the Clippers did not want to back down. The Clippers continued to trail by single digit score difference. Powell showed one-man show in the second quarter and George scored afterwards. The Clippers, who started trending in earnest in the second quarter, tied the score at 52-52 in the first half.

Dallas turned the game around again in the third quarter. Doncic's first 3-pointer finally hit, and Garford's gukbap continued in the third quarter. Irving also showed off his presence from the middle of the quarter. He threw six field pitches in the first half to score one, and Irving passed through the goalpost with each field goal. Irving had a 13-point FG 5/6 in the third quarter alone.