The Dante Exum resurgence continues.
The Aussie stepped up in a huge 26-point performance in the Dallas Mavericks’ 127-125 win over the LA Lakers on Wednesday (all times AEDT) — the Mavs’ fourth-straight victory — including drilling a career-best seven three-pointers.
Exum delivered and then some in crunch time of the Dallas match, showing off his improved three-point stroke with four triples and 17 points in the final quarter alone to lead Dallas’ late avalanche.
After the 28-year old’s last three, which pushed Dallas ahead 127-121 with under a minute left to all but seal the win, Mavs owner Mark Cuban couldn’t help but embrace with Exum at the next timeout with a warm hug.
Exum’s full line included 26 points on 8-of-10 shooting from the field, 7-of-9 from downtown, 3-of-4 from the free throw line, four rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block.
It marked the most points the former Pick 5 has scored in an NBA game since a 28-point performance for the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Minnesota Timberwolves in January 2020.
Over his last three games as a starter, Exum has now averaged 21.7 points, 5.3 assists and 4.7 rebounds on 64 per cent shooting from the field and 66 per cent from downtown, taking full opportunity of extra minutes on a Dallas team missing several players in the back-court including Kyrie Irving.
“I’m happy for him … was out of the league and has an opportunity now for a second time,” NBA legend Vince Carter said of Exum on TNT.
“I think sometimes these young guys take this opportunity of being a professional athlete for granted.
“When you lose it, you want it back. Hopefully he will not let it go again.”
The Mavericks are now 4-0 since Exum entered the starting line-up.
Exum, who spent the last two seasons in Europe, could suddenly command a bigger role on the 15-8 Mavericks, even when they get healthy.
Elsewhere for the Mavs, Luka Doncic was huge with 33 points and 17 assists and Tim Hardaway Jr. poured in 32 points with five threes off the bench.
Anthony Davis’ 37 points led the Lakers and LeBron James added 33 points, eight rebounds, nine assists and three steals as Darvin Ham’s squad fell to 14-10.
DRAYMONG EJECTED FOR SWING HIT ON NURKIC
Draymond Green has been ejected from Golden State’s clash with Phoenix after receiving a flagrant foul for appearing to swing and hit Jusuf Nurkic in the head.
Green and Nurkic during the third quarter got tangled up during a play before Green swung his body around and collected Nurkic high with a closed fist in a fiery moment.
The Warriors forward was issued a flagrant two foul and tossed from the contest.Pending a league office review of the play, Green could face the possibility of another suspension.
The 33-year old was suspended for give games last month for escalating an on-court altercation with the Minnesota Timberwolves where Green put Rudy Gobert in a headlock. At the time the league cited Green’s history as a repeat offender as a reason for the length of his ban.
Green has now been ejected three times this season — the most in the NBA — while he has 18 regular season ejections across his career — the most of any active player.
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