Luka Doncic had 34 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists as the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Utah Jazz 113-97 on Thursday night, moving into the Western Conference’s sixth and final assured playoff spot.

Dallas improved to 41-29 with their third consecutive win and seventh in eight games. The Mavericks moved a half-game ahead of Sacramento and Phoenix, who played Atlanta at home late Thursday.

Sacramento defeated to Washington earlier Thursday.

Doncic played four minutes in the fourth quarter and had no rebounds or assists. He went 11 for 23 from the field, including 4 for 10 on three-pointers.

Daniel Gafford scored 24 points, his highest total since being acquired in early February. Gafford missed the second part of the second quarter after collapsing on the court and was carried to the locker room, but returned to start the second half.

Kyrie Irving scored 16 points, including 11 in the second half.

The Jazz were swept in a road back-to-back, falling to Oklahoma City on Wednesday night, and have now dropped four straight games and 15 of 18. They are eight games out of play-in qualification with 12 games remaining.

Lauri Markkanen led Utah with 21 points despite missing the previous seven games due to a quadriceps ailment. Collin Sexton added 20 points off the bench.

Luka Doncic leads the way with 34 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists. Kyrie Irving chips in with 16 points and 7 assists. 

And Daniel Gafford posts another big night, scoring 24 points on 10-11 shooting, plus 7 rebounds.  

Dallas led by 19 points after trailing by seven two and a half minutes in.

The Mavericks outscored the Jazz 23-7 in fast-break points, while Utah went 4 for 30 from beyond the arc.

Doncic came off what Dallas coach Jason Kidd described as a “human game” in which the sixth-year superstar had his 18th triple-double of the season but only made 6 of 27 field-goal attempts, scoring 18 points, his lowest total since mid-November.

The Jazz were missing Jordan Clarkson, their third-leading scorer. He missed his fifth consecutive game due to a groin issue. Josh Green missed his third game in a row due to a sprained right ankle, thus the Mavericks played without him.