Doncic has 34 points, Mavs beat Hornets in Porzingis' return

Luka Doncic h 34 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists and a career-high four blocks, Kristaps Porzingis scored 16 points in his return from a knee injury and Dallas Mavericks beat Charlotte Hornets 104-93 on Wednesday night.

Tim Hardaway Jr. ded 18 points to help Rick Carlisle become 16th coach in NBA history to win 800 games. Mavericks have won four straight after opening 2-4.

Terry Rozier h 18 points to le Hornets. y shot 38% from field and h ir four-game winning streak snapped.

Porzingis played for first time since having knee surgery in October.

7-foot-3 Latvian impacted game at both ends with his size, easily able to shoot over smaller defenders while altering shots in paint against smaller Hornets. Charlotte attempted to counter at times with a small ball lineup, but struggled all night with Dallas' height and length.

Porzingis played 21 minutes, finishing 6 of 16 from floor and 4 of 9 from beyond 3-point arc. He h four rebounds.

Doncic appeared to grow frustrated with lack of calls going his way in second half, but used that as motivation. After a n-call, Doncic hustled back to block Gordon Hayward's shot, corralled loose ball and drove length of floor where he lofted a one-handed alley-oop pass to Josh Green for lay-in.

Doncic got testy at end of third quarter after Charlotte's Caleb Martin said something to him. Doncic began walking toward Martin, shouting something back as officials assessed Martin a technical foul.

Doncic set tone early with 11 points, five assists and three rebounds in opening quarter as Mavericks took a 32-16 le.

TIP INS

Mavericks: Jalen Brunson, Dorian Finney-Smith, Maxi Kleber, Dwight Powell and Josh Richardson did t play due to NBA health and safety protocols.

Hornets: Hornets coach James Borrego said Hayward left game in fourth quarter because of a strained hip. After averaging 29.2 points during four-game winning streak, Hayward was held to 16 points on 5-of-15 shooting by Mavericks. ... P.J. Washington h 16 points and 10 rebounds.

UP NEXT

Mavericks: At Milwaukee on Friday night.

Hornets: Vs. Toronto in Tampa, Florida, on Thursday and Saturday nights.

Im credits: AP