Imagine watching a legend rise even higher! Klay Thompson, in a dazzling display of skill, not only dropped a season-high 26 points, but he also etched his name further into NBA history, leaving the Utah Jazz reeling in a 144-122 defeat against the Dallas Mavericks.
Published January 16, 2026, 6:30 AM CST, by AP.
Thompson's performance on Thursday night was a masterclass in sharpshooting, as he matched his season's best by sinking six three-pointers. This propelled him past Damian Lillard and firmly into fourth place on the NBA's all-time three-point leaderboard. Talk about a statement game!
Currently, the Mount Rushmore of NBA three-point artists looks like this: Stephen Curry reigns supreme, followed by James Harden, and then Ray Allen, who concluded his career with 2,973 successful shots from beyond the arc. Thompson now boasts a staggering 2,809, and he's clearly not done yet. Thompson was an efficient 10 for 18 from the field and also dished out a season-high six assists, proving he's more than just a shooter.
The Mavericks (now 16-26) were without their sensational rookie, Cooper Flagg, who unfortunately suffered a left ankle sprain during Wednesday night's home loss to the Denver Nuggets. (See the full story on Flagg's injury here: https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/denver-nuggets-dallas-mavericks-january-14-2026-cooper-flagg-jamal-murray/). His absence certainly presented a challenge, but the Mavs stepped up.
But here's where it gets interesting... Both the Mavericks and the Jazz were coming off losses from the previous night. The pressure was on, and Dallas responded emphatically. The good news for fans is that they don't have to wait long for a rematch! These two teams will clash again on Saturday in Dallas, promising another exciting contest.
Naji Marshall contributed a valuable 22 points, helping the Mavericks achieve season highs in both total points and three-pointers made (19). And this is the part most people miss: they did it against the Utah Jazz, a team that, statistically, allows the most points (127.0) and three-pointers (15.6) per game in the entire NBA! Some might argue that this inflates the achievement. What do you think?
For the Jazz (now 14-27), Brice Sensabaugh poured in 27 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome Dallas's offensive firepower. Adding to their woes, their leading scorer, Lauri Markkanen, was sidelined for the second consecutive game due to illness.
This victory provides a much-needed boost for the Mavericks, but can they maintain this momentum without Flagg? And will the Jazz be able to bounce back with Markkanen's return? Let us know your predictions in the comments below! Could Thompson realistically challenge Curry's all-time three-point record? It's a long shot, but stranger things have happened! #NBA #DallasMavericks #UtahJazz #KlayThompson
