Exum, Mavs squash Hornets in Green's return to Dallas

• Josh Green was given a video tribute in his return to Dallas, where he scored seven points
• Dante Exum had eight points, four steals, three assists and three rebounds in the Dallas win
• Joe Ingles did not play in Minnesota's loss to the Lakers

Australia's Josh Green's time as a Dallas Maverick was celebrated after the NBA franchise showed a video tribute on his return to American Airlines Center and it was the home team who recorded a 103-96 win over the Charlotte Hornets.

Green, who was drafted by the Mavericks in 2020, spent his whole career with Dallas, including their run to the 2024 NBA Finals, before he was traded to the Hornets in the offseason. The defensive specialist had seven points, two assists and two rebounds for Charlotte but it wasn't enough to get a win against his old team.

Neither team were able to establish a significant advantage in the first half with the opening two quarters ending with Dallas holding a slim 50-49 lead, as both sides struggled to find their offensive rhythm.

The third quarter proved pivotal for the Mavericks, as they outscored the Hornets 23-18 to create some separation with Kyrie Irving's playmaking abilities coming to the fore during this period, orchestrating the Dallas offence with precision and finding open teammates for high-percentage looks.

Charlotte mounted a spirited comeback attempt in the final frame, cutting the deficit to just four points with three minutes remaining but a clutch three-pointer from Klay Thompson at the 2:15 mark extended the Mavericks' lead to seven, effectively sealing the victory. Dallas closed out the game with a 30-29 fourth-quarter advantage to secure the 103-96 win.

Irving's all-around performance was instrumental in the Mavericks' success, scoring 25 points on an efficient 11-from-24 shooting, while his nine rebounds and five assists showcased his impact beyond scoring.

For Charlotte, Mark Williams put forth a valiant effort in defeat with the centre putting together a 26-point, 16-rebound double-double, which highlighted his dominance in the paint but it wasn't enough to overcome the Mavericks' balanced attack. Miles Bridges contributed 20 points and 12 rebounds, providing a solid secondary option for the Hornets.

Fellow Aussie Dante Exum had a strong performance for the Mavericks with 12 points, four steals, three rebounds and three assists in 25 minutes for Dallas, who remain in ninth place in the Western Conference with a 32-28 record while Charlotte sit 14th in the Eastern Conference with a 14-44 record.

This win solidifies Dallas' position in the Western Conference playoff race, improving their record to 32-28 and maintaining their hold on the seventh seed. For Charlotte, the loss drops them to 14-44, further cementing their position near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.

Minnesota Timberwolves @ Los Angeles Lakers

Joe Ingles received a DNP Coach's Decision but the shorthanded Minnesota Timberwolves almost upset the red-hot Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena but fell just short, going down 111-102.

LeBron James was the standout for the Lakers with 33 points, 17 rebounds and six assists as Los Angeles won their fourth straight.