Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a stellar 39-point performance, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a commanding 118-104 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night, securing their place in the NBA Cup semifinals.
Jalen Williams contributed 18 points, while Isaiah Hartenstein added a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds. The Thunder will face the winner of Wednesday’s matchup between the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets in Saturday’s semifinal in Las Vegas.
The Thunder showcased their defensive prowess, turning last season’s Western Conference semifinals rematch — which Dallas had won 4-2 — into a one-sided affair. Oklahoma City’s defensive lineup limited Luka Doncic to a mere 16 points on 5-of-15 shooting. Lu Dort spearheaded the defensive effort, supported by Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace.
Dallas leaned on contributions from Naji Marshall and Klay Thompson, who scored 19 points each, while Kyrie Irving added 17. However, they sorely missed P.J. Washington, who was sidelined due to illness. Washington had been a key figure in last season’s playoff clashes and Dallas’ recent win over Oklahoma City.
The game remained close in the first half, with Oklahoma City holding a slim 57-54 lead at the break, fueled by 18 points from Gilgeous-Alexander. Doncic, on the other hand, struggled, managing only two points on 1-of-7 shooting.
Gilgeous-Alexander exploded in the third quarter, scoring 16 points on near-perfect 7-of-8 shooting, sparking a 13-2 run that gave the Thunder a commanding 70-56 lead. Isaiah Joe punctuated the quarter with a buzzer-beater three-pointer, extending the Thunder’s advantage to 90-73 heading into the final frame.
Key Insights:
Turnovers Prove Costly
The Mavericks’ 19 turnovers were a critical factor, allowing the Thunder to capitalize with 36 points.
Impact of Hartenstein
Oklahoma City’s offseason acquisition of 7-footer Isaiah Hartenstein paid dividends. His presence on the boards helped the Thunder outrebound the Mavericks 52-44, adding much-needed physicality.
Offensive Surge
The Thunder’s 13-2 run early in the second half set the tone for their victory, with Gilgeous-Alexander scoring nine of those points.
Third Quarter Collapse
Dallas struggled offensively in the third quarter, making just 6 of 19 field goal attempts after shooting 50% in the first half.
Upcoming Games:
- Mavericks: Return home to host the Los Angeles Clippers on Dec. 19.
- Thunder: Await their semifinal clash against either Golden State or Houston on Saturday in Las Vegas.
