4 thoughts from a Dallas Mavericks win over the San Antonio Spurs, 110-93

The Dallas Mavericks ended their four-game losing streak as they defeated the San Antonio Spurs 110-93 Saturday night . The Mavericks were led by Kyrie Irving, who had 22 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, and Daniel Gafford who finished with 22 points on 9-10 shooting. Luka Doncic added 16 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Zach Collins' 20 points led the Spurs.

Irving and PJ Washington returned to action tonight, with Washington making his return from the bench. Irving missed one game due to a shoulder sprain, while Washington had missed the last five matchups due to a knee sprain. Victor Wembanyama was out tonight, joined by the promising Devin Vassell and Jeremy Sochan. Washington was a complete non-factor in the game, finishing with zero points in 19 minutes. It will be interesting to see how his minutes and spot in the rotation pan out in tomorrow's matchup.

The Mavericks began the game rather uninspired, ending the first quarter down by five points. They eventually got the ball rolling in the final half of the second quarter, going into the intermission up 55-51. The floodgates opened in the third quarter, where the Mavericks found their way into 93-69 lead by the end of the quarter. The Mavericks had no problem finishing this one out against the injured Spurs squad and were able to clear the bench for the fourth quarter to close the game.

Kyrie Irving continues to be the best player on the Mavericks Irving returned tonight after missing the last game, where the Mavericks suffered a heartbreaking and embarrassing loss to the Utah Jazz . Irving finished with 22 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Doncic had an uncharacteristic 16 points on 38% shooting, so the Mavericks needed the offense from Irving, especially in the second and third quarters. Irving has stepped up when the Mavericks have needed him during Doncic's woes, and he continues to deliver.

Dereck Lively's response to struggles in Utah Dereck Lively bounced back from Thursday's poor performance in Utah and finished with seven points, four rebounds, and four blocks. After getting into foul trouble early on Thursday night, he finished tonight's game with just one foul. Lively's performance tonight speaks to his maturity in his ability to bounce back from a tough game, which he often showed last season.

Gafford's bench spark Gafford was on a tear tonight, finishing with 22 points off the bench, a season-high for him, and the most of any bench player for the Mavericks this season. Gafford bullied the Spurs down low, allowing him to get his way easily. He added seven rebounds, three blocks, and one steal to this performance. The Mavericks desperately needed this spark from someone off the bench, and Gafford took advantage of the opportunity against the Wembanyama-less Spurs.

A win is a win, no matter who the opponent is The Mavericks desperately needed to get back in the win column after losing the last four games by a combined eight points. No matter who the opponent was and who was on the floor, a win is a win, and the Mavericks needed to get at least one win out of their back-to-back stint as they face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday evening. In the Western Conference, every win matters. The team needs the morale boost from this win as they have to quickly turn around and prepare for their next matchup against a tough opponent tomorrow night.

The Mavericks will take on the Thunder tomorrow at 8 p.m. CST.