The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Dallas Mavericks 116-110 on January 24, 2026, at American Airlines Center, completing a decisive fourth-quarter comeback that overturned a double-digit deficit. LeBron James catalyzed the rally with critical late-game scoring, while Luka Doncic delivered notable individual contributions for Dallas despite the losing effort.
The contest featured dramatic momentum shifts across four quarters. Los Angeles opened strong, surrendered the lead through the middle periods, then outscored the Mavericks 37-23 in the final quarter to secure the road victory. Play-by-play logs reveal a tactical battle that remained undecided until the final minutes.
What is the box score for Lakers vs Mavericks?
LAL 116 | DAL 110
LAL 44.4% | DAL 41.5%
LAL 37 | DAL 23
LAL 14 | DAL 11
- Lakers dominated the opening period, establishing a 37-28 lead.
- Los Angeles overcame a 97-85 deficit late in the fourth quarter to close the game.
- The Lakers converted 40 of 90 field goal attempts (44.4%) compared to Dallas’s 39-of-94 shooting (41.5%).
- Los Angeles attempted 34 three-pointers, successfully converting 14.
- Dallas committed fewer turnovers (11) than Los Angeles (14) despite the loss.
- The Mavericks were whistled for 19 fouls, one fewer than the Lakers’ 20.
| Team/Player | PTS | FG | 3PT | TO | Fouls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Lakers | 116 | 40-90 (44.4%) | 14-34 | 14 | 20 |
| Dallas Mavericks | 110 | 39-94 (41.5%) | Not specified | 11 | 19 |
| Notable Individual Contributions (January 24, 2026) | |||||
| Rui Hachimura (LAL) | — | 3-pointer made | — | — | — |
| Max Christie (LAL) | — | Layups, FTs | — | — | — |
| Naji Marshall (DAL) | — | Free throws | — | — | — |
| Jake LaRavia (DAL) | — | 3-pointers made | — | — | — |
Complete box score data is available via CBS Sports GameTracker.
Who were the top performers in points, rebounds, and assists?
LeBron James
James engineered the Lakers’ fourth-quarter resurgence through multiple critical scores. He opened his account with a second-quarter fadeaway jump shot, then delivered a driving finger roll layup that cut the Mavericks’ lead to 89-102. Later, he converted a cutting layup assisted by Luka Doncic, bringing the Lakers within three points at 99-102.
Luka Doncic
Doncic remained central to Dallas’s offensive structure despite the defeat. He missed a crucial late fadeaway attempt with 8:30 remaining that would have extended the lead beyond 97-85, but converted a driving layup later to make it 101-104. In an unusual twist, Doncic recorded an assist to James on the Lakers’ cutting layup that narrowed the deficit to three points.
Supporting Contributors
Rui Hachimura contributed a three-pointer during a 64-51 Lakers advantage. Max Christie provided layups and free throws, while Naji Marshall scored from the line for Dallas. Jake LaRavia hit multiple three-pointers for the Mavericks.
Official NBA box scores containing complete individual totals for points, rebounds, and assists for James, Doncic, and Anthony Davis were not fully extracted at the time of publication. Individual statistics cited derive from CBS Sports play-by-play logs and game summaries.
What was the final score and game outcome?
Quarterly Scoring Breakdown
The Lakers established immediate control, outscoring Dallas 37-28 in the first quarter. The middle periods saw Dallas erode and eventually overcome this deficit, building a 97-85 advantage early in the fourth quarter. Los Angeles then mounted a 37-23 final period to close the game.
Decisive Fourth Quarter
The game’s defining sequence occurred with Dallas leading 97-85. James initiated the comeback with a driving finger roll, followed by the cutting layup assisted by Doncic. Dallas maintained pressure through Doncic’s driving layup (101-104), but the Lakers continued their offensive push to secure the 116-110 final margin.
The Lakers’ 12-point deficit reversal (97-85 down to 116-110 victory) marked the largest comeback of the game’s final period, with Los Angeles outscoring Dallas by 14 points in the quarter.
How do recent matchups between these teams compare?
The January 24 regular-season contest represented the third meeting between these franchises within a seven-month span, following Summer League and preseason encounters.
On July 10, 2025, Dallas defeated Los Angeles 87-85 in NBA Summer League action at Las Vegas. Cole Swider led the Lakers with 22 points on 6-of-10 shooting, while Ryan Nembhard paced the Mavericks with 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting. Dallas shot 43% from the field compared to Los Angeles’s 37%, though the Lakers converted 39% from three-point range versus Dallas’s 32%.
The teams met again on October 15, 2025, in preseason play, with Dallas securing a 121-94 victory. Complete individual statistics from that contest were not detailed in available records.
Summer League and preseason statistics feature rotating rosters, limited minutes for established starters, and developmental lineups. These metrics do not correlate directly to regular-season performance indicators.
Comprehensive Summer League data is available via ESPN, while preseason results are documented through ESPN Box Score.
How did the game’s pivotal moments unfold?
- : Lakers establish 37-28 lead through efficient opening offense.
- : James converts fadeaway jump shot to extend early advantage.
- : Mavericks build momentum, eroding Lakers’ lead.
- : Doncic misses fadeaway jumper; Dallas leads 97-85.
- : James scores driving finger roll layup; score 89-102.
- : Doncic assists James cutting layup; score 99-102.
- : Doncic converts driving layup; score 101-104.
- : Lakers complete comeback, winning 116-110.
Which statistics are verified versus pending?
| Established Information | Information Remaining Unclear |
|---|---|
| Final score (116-110) and quarter-by-quarter team totals | Complete individual stat lines (points, rebounds, assists) for James, Doncic, and Davis |
| Team shooting percentages (FG% and 3PT attempts for Lakers) | Anthony Davis’s specific participation statistics and impact |
| Turnover and foul totals for both franchises | Rebound totals for all individual players |
| Specific play-by-play events (makes, misses, assists) | Minutes played distribution |
What context defines this regular-season meeting?
The January 24, 2026, contest occurred during the NBA regular season’s mid-campaign period, with both teams positioned within the Western Conference structure. The game marked the first regular-season meeting between the teams since Dallas traded for Lakers legacy talent, adding narrative significance to Doncic’s performance against his former franchise’s rival.
The Lakers’ victory improved their head-to-head record against Dallas for the 2025-26 campaign, building upon previous encounters in Summer League and preseason play. For championship context across different leagues, see EFL League One Games – 2024/25 Results and Standings.
What do play-by-play records reveal about execution?
CBS Sports GameTracker documentation reveals a game characterized by late-game execution differences. The play-by-play record indicates that despite Dallas maintaining control through three quarters, their offense stalled in the final period, converting only 23 points after scoring 28, 29, and 30 in the first three quarters respectively.
“Luka Doncic’s performance was highlighted despite the loss, as the Lakers overcame a deficit with strong play from LeBron James and others.”
— CBS Sports Game Summary, January 24, 2026
For complete official statistics, NBA.com maintains comprehensive game logs and advanced analytics.
What are the essential findings from this Lakers-Mavericks contest?
The Lakers’ 116-110 victory demonstrated their capacity for late-game resilience, overcoming a 12-point fourth-quarter deficit through superior execution in the final period. While LeBron James provided the offensive catalyst, the win reflected collective team production against a Dallas squad that controlled the middle portions of the game. For additional sports analysis methodology, reference Middlesbrough vs Ipswich Town – Preview Stats and Prediction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Lakers vs Mavericks on January 24, 2026?
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Dallas Mavericks 116-110 at American Airlines Center.
Which team won the fourth quarter scoring battle?
The Lakers outscored the Mavericks 37-23 in the fourth quarter, enabling their comeback from a 97-85 deficit.
Did Luka Doncic play in this game?
Yes, Doncic played and contributed multiple scores including a driving layup, though he also missed a critical late fadeaway attempt.
Are complete individual player stats available for this game?
No, full individual box scores for points, rebounds, and assists remain unavailable; data derives from play-by-play logs.
What was the Lakers’ field goal percentage?
The Lakers shot 40-for-90 from the field, converting 44.4% of their attempts.
Sophie Kendall is Tools & Digital Culture Correspondent at WordPatch.co.uk, covering writing tools, productivity software, AI writing platforms, digital publishing and online communication trends.