Full coverage: Mavericks cede homecourt advantage to Clippers, series tied 2-2 (2024)

The first Mavericks home playoff game since 2022 was just about ideal for the guys in black and blue.

The second? Less so. Dallas lost Game 4 to the Clippers 116-111 on Sunday at American Airlines Center in Dallas to even the series at two games apiece as the teams head back to Los Angeles for Game 5 on Wednesday.

Game 4 stories

— Mavericks’ Luka Doncic addresses his health, knee soreness after Game 4 vs. Clippers

— Kyrie Irving’s explosion after scoreless first quarter was Mavs’ only shot at Game 4 rally

— No Kawhi, no problem? Clippers stood on business vs. Mavericks to tie series 2-2

— Game 1 déjà vu? Mavericks’ slow start squanders chance to slam door on Clippers in Dallas

— What Clippers coach Tyronn Lue, Paul George said after beating Mavericks in Game 4

— Five thoughts from Mavericks-Clippers: Dallas’ comeback attempt from down 31 falls short

Photo gallery

Game updates

FINAL: Clippers 116, Mavericks 111: The Mavs nearly completed a 31-point comeback in the second-half of Game 4 on Sunday, but a 66-point effort from Clippers’ stars Paul George and James Harden was enough to fend off Dallas.

The series is tied heading back to L.A., 2-2.

Fourth quarter (0:22 remaining): After a Luka Doncic layup, the Mavs cut the Clippers’ lead to 109-113 with less than 30 seconds left in the contest.

Fourth quarter (2:14 remaining): Kyrie Irving hits a shot in the lane to give the Mavs a 105-104 lead and the Clippers call a timeout.

Fourth quarter (3:24 remaining): The Mavericks knotted up the contest at 98 after a Luka Doncic step-back three-pointer.

James Harden responded on the other end with a floater, only to see Kyrie Irving tie the game back up at 100. Harden added two more baskets, and the Clippers took a timeout as they lead 104-100. Foul trouble could be a factor down the stretch here for the Mavs’ superstar as Doncic has five personals.

Fourth quarter (6:07 remaining): The Clippers lead by five after a P.J. Washington and-one, as well as a Kyrie Irving three-pointer from the elbow.

The Mavs are currently playing small with no Lively II or Gafford in the game.

End of third quarter - Clippers 83, Mavericks 76: The American Airlines Center erupted near the end of the third quarter as the Mavericks narrowed the deficit to just two points on a Kyrie Irving three. The Mavericks outscored the Clippers 29-16 in the third quarter.

Third quarter (4:05 remaining): The Clippers’ Terance Mann is called for a take-foul after grabbing Luka Doncic’s lower leg in transition. That is his fourth personal foul. James Harden is called for his fourth personal foul as Luka Doncic heads to the foul line.

Third quarter, 8:40: Mavericks came out with more fire to start the second half, going on a 12-5 run to close the gap to 10.

End of first half - Clippers 66, Mavericks 49: The American Airlines Center crowd had perhaps the biggest cheer of the half for a pair of Dereck Lively II dunks and a Russell Westbrook missed free throw.

Despite the Mavs’ strong second quarter where they outscored the Clippers 33-27, Dallas is still down 17 at the half. Paul George and James Harden have combined for 44 points, while Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic have combined for just 28 points.

Second quarter (4:39 remaining): Kyrie Irving hits back-to-back three-pointers to trim the Clippers’ lead to 22. Clippers coach Tyronn Lue calls a timeout.

Luka Doncic receives a technical foul and James Harden is up to 16 points scored on the game.

End of first quarter - Clippers 39, Mavericks 16: A 16-point first quarter from Paul George has the Clippers out to big early lead. Norman Powell beat the end-of-quarter buzzer with a three-pointer from the elbow to stretch the Clippers’ lead to 23.

Foul trouble will be something to watch for the Mavs, as both Luka Doncic and their defensive stalwart Derrick Jones Jr. have both picked up two personals.

First quarter (6:21 remaining): The two teams are off to a slow start with the Mavs trailing 8-9. Stars Luka Doncic and James Harden have both picked up two early fouls. Josh Green and Dereck Lively II have checked into the game.

2:54 pm: Game 4 is underway between the Mavs and Clippers. The opening points are by way of Luka Doncic. He made two free throws and a jump shot to give Dallas an early lead.

Pregame updates

- Before the game, coach Jason Kidd said Luka Doncic would warm up and see how he feels after being questionable with a sore right knee.

The Mavericks eventually said Doncic would be available to play.

- Clippers president Lawrence Frank said Kawhi Leonard, who has been dealing with knee inflammation and swelling, would not play in Game 4.

Pregame reading

— Dallas Mavericks’ new cult hero, P.J. Washington: ‘I always defend everybody on my team’

— How Mavericks’ Daniel Gafford blocked out the noise to make a statement in Game 3

— P.J. Washington’s toughness becomes a meme after Mavericks-Clippers Game 3

— Ferocious Mavs brought it all night in physical Game 3 win over Clippers

— How Luka Doncic, then Kyrie Irving, keyed crucial and chippy Game 3 Mavs win over Clippers

Find more Mavericks coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.