Doncic scores 28, Thompson adds 22 in Dallas debut as Mavs top Spurs 120-109

DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic had 28 points and 10 rebounds, Klay Thompson added 22 points in his Dallas debut and the Mavericks beat the San Antonio Spurs 120-109 in the opener for both teams Thursday night.

Kyrie Irving had 15 points for the defending Western Conference champions, who got eight assists from Doncic and seven rebounds from Thompson.

Victor Wembanyama shot just 5 of 18 from the field for 17 points to open the young French phenom's second year with the Spurs. Jeremy Sochan and Julian Champagnie scored 18 apiece.

Spurs: Thompson's first game with the Mavericks was the headliner, but Chris Paul's San Antonio debut to start his 20th season was an important moment for the Spurs in the growth of a young team seeking to end a five-season playoff drought. The offense looked rough, and Paul's only points came on a 3 in the third quarter. But the point guard's long-term value showed with eight assists and seven rebounds.

Mavericks: Dallas has been talking defense with the star offensive trio of Doncic, Irving and Thompson. There was a brief display in the third quarter with three consecutive San Antonio turnovers. Thompson had the first steal, Irving the next two. Dallas scored just two points, though.

The Mavericks took their biggest lead to that point at 69-55 in the third quarter when Doncic was in heavy traffic under the basket and threw a blind pass over his head to P.J. Washington Jr. for an open 3.

Dallas pulled away by warming up significantly from long range in the second half. The Mavs were 13 of 21 on 3s after the break after finishing the first half 6 of 23.

The Spurs play the first of consecutive home games against Houston on Saturday. The Mavericks play their road opener Saturday at Phoenix.

This story updates a previous version to correct that Dallas was 13 of 21 from 3-point range in the second half instead of 13 of 18.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama, right, drives against Dallas Mavericks' Dereck Lively II, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, in Dallas, Texas. (AP Photo/Albert Pena)

San Antonio Spurs' Chris Paul (3) is defended by Dallas Mavericks forward Maxi Kleber, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, in Dallas, Texas. (AP Photo/Albert Pena)

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, center right, is defended by Dallas Mavericks forward Maxi Kleber, center left, as he shoots a jump shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, in Dallas, Texas. (AP Photo/Albert Pena)

San Antonio Spurs' center Victor Wembanyama, foreground, drives to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, in Dallas, Texas. (AP Photo/Albert Pena)

Dallas Mavericks' guard Klay Thompson (31) is defended by San Antonio Spurs' guard Chris Paul (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, in Dallas, Texas. (AP Photo/Albert Pena)

Dallas Mavericks' guard Luka Doncic, left, is defended by San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, in Dallas, Texas. (AP Photo/Albert Pena)

NEW YORK (AP) — Sergei Bobrovsky made 24 saves for his 400th career win, and the Florida Panthers defeated the New York Rangers 3-1 on Thursday.

Anton Lundell and Carter Verhaeghe scored early first-period goals for Florida. Lundell opened the scoring 44 seconds in, beating Igor Shesterkin alone in the slot. Verhaeghe added to the Panthers' lead at the 2:42 mark.

Alexis Lafreniere scored 4:44 into the game to halve Florida's early lead, but it was the only time New York was able to beat Bobrovsky.

Sam Bennett gave the Panthers a two-goal lead 6:59 into the second period.

Florida held on to win in a rematch of last spring’s Eastern Conference Final, which the Panthers won in six games.

Shesterkin finished with 26 saves for the Rangers.

New York: The Rangers lost in regulation for the first time after a 5-0-1 start.

Florida: The Panthers improved to 3-2-0 on the road after finishing with an Eastern Conference-best 26-10-5 away record last season.

Bobrovsky denied Rangers forward Jonny Brodzinski on a breakaway at 5:47 of the first, then made a pad save on Filip Chytil at 6:35. He also stopped Chris Kreider from in close at 15:20 of the opening period.

Bobrovsky became the 14th goaltender in NHL history to reach the 400-win milestone. The 36-year-old netminder, in his sixth season with the Panthers, has a career record of 400-226-56 in 15 seasons. Bobrovsky is the fastest goaltender to win 400 games, reaching the milestone in 707 contests. He needs two wins to pass Chris Osgood for 13th on the all-time wins list.

Rangers forward Artemi Panarin, who leads the team with 13 points including six goals, was held off the scoresheet for the first time this season.

The Rangers host the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday, while the Panthers will remain in New York to play the Islanders on Saturday.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) stops a shot by Florida Panthers' A.J. Greer (10) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Florida Panthers' Sam Bennett (9) skates toward his bench after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Rangers, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Florida Panthers' Evan Rodrigues (17) drives past New York Rangers' Vincent Trocheck (16) and Reilly Smith (91) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Florida Panthers' Dmitry Kulikov (7) looks to pass the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Rangers, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Florida Panthers' Sergei Bobrovsky (72) protects the net during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Rangers Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Rangers' Alexis Lafrenière (13) looks away from Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) and A.J. Greer (10) after scoring during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Florida Panthers' Sergei Bobrovsky (72) stops a shot by New York Rangers' Jonny Brodzinski (22) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)