The Dallas Mavericks made a quick business trip to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder in a Western Conference showdown. Previously, No. 5 Dallas eliminated No. 1 Oklahoma City in six games in the 2024 NBA Western Conference Semifinals. Since then, Dallas acquired veteran Shooting Guard Klay Thompson from Golden State, while Oklahoma City traded for Guard Alex Caruso and signed Isaiah Hartenstein.
It’s too early to tell if the Mavericks or Thunder won the offseason, but Sunday’s game showed the noticeable effects of the offseason moves. Dallas entered the game with a 6-7 record hoping to achieve a road win for a second straight victory, while Oklahoma City stood tall with an 11-2 record looking for a fourth consecutive win at home.
The Mavericks survived the Thunder for a 121-119 win at the Paycom Center. Dallas improved to 7-7, while Oklahoma City fell to 11-3. PJ Washington led the Mavericks with 27 points, 17 rebounds, and two assists. Kyrie Irving followed up with 23 points, one rebound, and six assists. Naji Marshall added 13 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Jaden Hardy had 13 points, three rebounds, and one assist and Daniel Gafford scored 11 points and 12 rebounds.
Dallas Mavericks-Oklahoma City Thunder Recap
The Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder’s game featured back-and-forth action throughout. Dallas’ injury report listed Luka Doncic out with a right knee contusion and Dante Exum out with right wrist surgery. Oklahoma City’s injury report listed Chet Holmgren out with a right hip fracture, Hartenstein out with a left-hand fracture, Caruso out with a right hip strain, Jaylin Williams out with a right hamstring strain, Nikola Topic out with left knee surgery, Alex Ducas was out due to a G League two-way contract, and Malevy Leons out.
The Mavericks’ starting lineup featured Kyrie Irving, Quentin Grimes, Klay Thompson, PJ Washington, and Dereck Lively II. Grimes started in place of Doncic. Grimes’ previous start was in place of Irving during Thursday’s 115-113 loss to the Utah Jazz and he posted 15 points, five assists, four rebounds, and one steal in 36 minutes.
The Thunder and Mavericks duked it out on the court throughout the first quarter. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander created space and scored for the Thunder. Kyrie Irving scored in the paint to help the Mavericks. Both teams were tied at 30 apiece in the last two minutes of the first. The Mavericks fought off the Thunder’s late scoring surge for a 39-34 lead to end the first.
The Game Remained Close Throughout
Like the first quarter, Dallas and Oklahoma City battled during the second quarter. The Mavericks were back in business, such as PJ Washington’s post-up, and outscored the Thunder to take a 66-58 lead to conclude the first half. However, Oklahoma City’s efforts were worth noting, like, say, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finding an open Dillon Jones, who buried a three-pointer, despite five Dallas defenders.
The Thunder and Mavericks’ third quarter started at a rather slow pace, but gradually increased as time passed by. PJ Washington successfully finished a shot at the rim to support the Dallas cause. The Thunder’s back-to-back work on both ends of the court kept the game close. The Mavericks settled for a 97-92 lead over the Thunder after three quarters.
The Mavericks went on a 6-0 run to open the fourth quarter until the Thunder got on the board with a free throw by the 10-minute mark. Kyrie Irving, PJ Washington, and Spencer Dinwiddie supported the Mavericks’ cause with their successful scoring plays. The Mavericks managed to fend off the Thunder’s big-man energy and accepted a 121-119 win in regulation.
Dallas Mavericks at Oklahoma City Thunder Highlights
The Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder’s game featured several highlights, such as the Mavericks’ fast start early in the first quarter. The Mavericks often start poorly. The Thunder hosted its first City Edition jersey night this season and appeared to not be bothered by the Mavericks’ start, as the Thunder’s scoring surge kept the game close in the first.
For the Mavericks, Jaden Hardy finished strong at the rim to end the Thunder’s run midway through the first quarter. Hardy previously took flight for a massive poster slam in Thursday’s game against the Utah Jazz. Hardy’s re-signing with the Mavericks has fallen short of some, if not most, individuals’ expectations after signing a three-year, $18 million contract extension on October 21, 2024.
The Thunder’s defense remained impressive, despite being forced to overcome a lack of center or any player over 6-foot-6 in the starting lineup. On Saturday, Oklahoma City signed 7-footer Branden Carlson to boost the team’s hobbled frontcourt. Carlson joined the team from the G League’s Toronto Raptors 905, with whom he played for following a college basketball career at Utah.
Final Thoughts
On Saturday, the Dallas Mavericks snapped a four-game losing streak with a 110-93 win over the San Antonio Spurs. The Mavericks wore their new City Edition jerseys for the first time this season. The Mavericks’ third-quarter scoring surge helped them stage a comeback. The Spurs shot only 31.8% from the field and failed on 29 of their 40 attempts from beyond the three-point line.
Gafford scored a season-high 22 points on 9-of-10 shots off the Mavericks’ bench in the win over the Spurs. Gafford’s 22 points were the highest of any Mavericks player off the bench this season. Gafford controlled the middle of the lane, played 18 minutes, and attempted to add some physicality to his game. The Mavericks previously lost four games that came down to one possession.
The Mavericks will return home to host the New Orleans Pelicans in the second game of the NBA Cup’s Group Stage on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Central. In case you missed it, Dallas dropped a 120-117 decision to Golden State in the first game, while New Orleans defeated Denver 101-94 in the namesake game. Dallas and New Orleans’ potential rivalry first brewed in 2007 but faded shortly after.
