The Thunder advance to the NBA Cup semifinals with a decisive 118-104 victory over the Mavericks on Tuesday night. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge, scoring an impressive 39 points, showcasing his ability to shine in high-stakes moments.
In addition to Gilgeous-Alexander’s stellar performance, Jalen Williams contributed 18 points, while Isaiah Hartenstein recorded a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds. The Thunder are set to face the winner of the Golden State versus Houston matchup in the semifinals on Saturday in Las Vegas.
During this quarterfinal rematch, Oklahoma City established a commanding lead of 20 points, a stark contrast to their previous playoff encounter where Dallas emerged victorious. The Thunder’s defense played a pivotal role, effectively limiting Luka Doncic to just 16 points on 5-for-15 shooting, with Lu Dort leading the defensive effort alongside Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace.
For the Mavericks, Naji Marshall and Klay Thompson each netted 19 points, while Kyrie Irving added 17. However, the absence of P.J. Washington, who had been a challenge for Oklahoma City in previous matchups, due to illness, was felt during the game.
At halftime, the Thunder led 57-54, bolstered by Gilgeous-Alexander’s 18 points. In stark contrast, Doncic struggled, managing only two points on 1-for-7 shooting. The third quarter saw Gilgeous-Alexander heat up, scoring 16 points on 7-for-8 shooting, while Isaiah Joe capped off the quarter with a buzzer-beater three-pointer, extending Oklahoma City’s lead to 90-73.
Takeaways
Mavericks: The Mavericks’ 19 turnovers proved costly, leading to 36 points for the Thunder. Mistakes like these hindered their chances for a comeback.
Thunder: Oklahoma City’s offseason acquisition of Hartenstein, a 7-foot, 255-pound center, has paid dividends. The Thunder dominated the boards, out-rebounding the Mavericks 52-44.
Key moment
A significant turning point occurred when Oklahoma City launched a 13-2 run to start the second half. Gilgeous-Alexander was instrumental, scoring nine points during this stretch and helping the Thunder establish a 70-56 lead.
Key stat
The Mavericks’ shooting woes were evident in the third quarter, where they converted only 6 of 19 field goals after shooting 50% in the first half.
Up next
Mavericks: They will host the Los Angeles Clippers on December 19.
Thunder: They will face either Golden State or Houston in the NBA Cup semifinals on Saturday in Las Vegas.
