DALLAS (Interstat) — Klay Thompson scored a season-high 26 points and moved into fourth place on the NBA’s career 3-pointers list, powering the Dallas Mavericks to a 144-122 victory over the Utah Jazz on Thursday night at American Airlines Center. Thompson hit six 3-pointers, giving him 2,809 for his career to pass Damian Lillard, as the Mavericks built a commanding 70-50 halftime lead and never relented. Dallas shot 56.7% from the field and made 19 of 47 from beyond the arc. Naji Marshall led Dallas with 22 points, while Brice Sensabaugh paced Utah with 27. The Mavericks, playing without injured rookie Cooper Flagg, avenged a loss to the Jazz just a week prior. Utah’s 43-point fourth quarter provided only cosmetic improvement to the final margin.

DALLAS (Interstat) — On a night when the Dallas Mavericks were without rookie star Cooper Flagg, the remaining veterans delivered a historic and overwhelming offensive performance to snap a two-game skid against the Utah Jazz. Klay Thompson scored a season-high 26 points, including six three-pointers, to move into fourth place on the NBA’s all-time list, and the Mavericks cruised to a 144-122 victory over the Jazz on Thursday night at American Airlines Center. Thompson’s sixth three-pointer of the night, part of a 10-for-18 shooting performance, gave him 2,809 for his career, passing Damian Lillard. He now trails only Stephen Curry, James Harden and Ray Allen, who made 2,973. Thompson also dished out a season-best six assists for Dallas, which improved to 16-26. The most important stretch of the game came early and decisively. With Flagg sidelined by a left ankle sprain suffered the previous night, the Mavericks established immediate and total control. They opened the game on a 21-6 run, fueled by relentless defensive pressure that generated four Utah turnovers in the first five minutes. The Jazz never recovered from the initial onslaught. Dallas led 35-24 after one quarter and extended the margin to 70-52 by halftime. The Mavericks shot 55 of 97 from the field for the game, a scorching 56.7 percent, and connected on 19 of 47 from three-point range. Their offensive rating of 130.9 points per 100 possessions underscored an efficient and dominant night. Utah, by contrast, managed an offensive rating of just 109.0. While Thompson provided the milestone moment, forward Naji Marshall was the engine for Dallas, leading the team with 22 points, six rebounds and four assists in just 24 minutes. His activity on both ends set the tone during the game-opening run. Center Moussa Cisse controlled the paint with a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds, adding three blocks. Brandon Williams scored 18 points, Caleb Martin had 14 points and six assists, and the Mavericks finished with 13 steals, forcing 17 Utah turnovers. The Jazz, who fell to 14-27, played catch-up from the opening tip. They were led by a career-high 27 points from Brice Sensabaugh off the bench. The forward from Orlando, Florida, was a bright spot, shooting 10 for 18 from the field. Walter Clayton added 15 points and eight assists, while Kyle Anderson filled the stat sheet with 12 points, six rebounds and six assists. Keyonte George scored 17 points and Ace Bailey contributed 15 points, five rebounds and three assists. Utah’s offense, which scored 43 points in a frantic fourth quarter long after the outcome was decided, was otherwise stymied by Dallas’s defense and its own inefficiency. The Jazz shot just 10 for 36 from beyond the arc and committed those 17 turnovers, which the Mavericks converted into 28 points. The victory avenged a 116-114 loss in Utah just one week prior and marked a season-high in points for Dallas. The teams will meet again at American Airlines Center on Saturday night. A crowd of 18,613 watched as the Mavericks never trailed, building their lead to as many as 28 points in the second half. The total score of 266 points shattered the pregame over/under line of 235.5, though Dallas easily covered the spread as a 1.5-point underdog at home. National Statistical’s ELO system had given the Mavericks a 66.1 percent probability to win pregame. For Utah, the loss continued a difficult season, though Sensabaugh’s breakout performance offered a glimpse of potential. The Jazz will look to split the two-game set in Dallas on Saturday before heading to San Antonio. The Mavericks, meanwhile, will aim to build momentum from their most complete offensive showing of the season as they prepare for a challenging stretch that includes games against the New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors next week.

Preview: Jazz Visit Mavericks in Rematch of Tight Contest DALLAS (Interstat) — The Utah Jazz and Dallas Mavericks, two teams seeking momentum in a crowded Western Conference, will meet for the second time in eight days Thursday night at American Airlines Center. The Jazz (14-25) edged the Mavericks (15-25) 116-114 in Salt Lake City on Jan. 8, a result both clubs will look to reverse in this quick-turnaround rematch. Utah arrives following a 123-112 road victory over Cleveland on Monday, while Dallas snapped a two-game skid with a 113-105 home win over Brooklyn the same night. All eyes will be on the young stars leading each offense. Utah’s Keyonte George is coming off a 32-point, nine-assist performance against the Cavaliers, continuing a dynamic stretch. Over his last 10 games, the guard is averaging 23.7 points and 6.7 assists, including 19 points and seven assists in the win over Dallas last week. He will be matched by Dallas’s standout rookie Cooper Flagg, who posted 26 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in the narrow loss to Utah. Flagg followed that with 27 points, five rebounds and five assists against the Nets, demonstrating the all-around skill that makes him a focal point. The matchup features two teams with nearly identical records struggling for consistency. Utah’s win over Cleveland was a bright spot in a 3-7 stretch over its last 10 games. Dallas has fared slightly better recently, going 4-6 in its last 10, but remains just outside the play-in picture. Utah’s Lauri Markkanen, who had 28 points and 12 rebounds Monday, and Dallas’s supporting scorers will be critical in providing secondary offense. The Mavericks will aim to protect their home court after the recent close loss to the Jazz, a game that saw seven lead changes in the fourth quarter. The season series is tied 1-1, with Utah also winning 140-133 in December. These teams will complete a rare three-game season series in Dallas on Saturday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CST Thursday.