Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge with 31 points and nine rebounds as the Oklahoma City Thunder secured a 126-119 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night.
The Mavericks were without their star guard Luka Dončić due to a sore left hamstring, an absence felt after Doncic’s streak of seven consecutive triple-doubles came to an end in the previous game against the Golden State Warriors.
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd indicated that Doncic’s MRI results were clean, suggesting a short-term setback with further evaluation pending upon the team’s return home.
Taking advantage of Doncic’s absence, Jalen Williams made a significant impact with 27 points in his return from a sprained right ankle. Gilgeous-Alexander praised Williams’ growth, emphasizing his hard work and improvement with each game. Williams also showcased his defensive prowess, registering three blocks, including a memorable rejection of a shot by Kyrie Irving.
Josh Giddey contributed 18 points to complement the Thunder’s offensive effort, as they demonstrated excellent ball movement to bounce back from their previous loss to the Indiana Pacers.
Coach Mark Daigneault highlighted the team’s response, emphasizing the importance of establishing rhythm and integrity in their play. Despite Irving’s stellar performance with 36 points and 12 assists, along with Tim Hardaway Jr.’s 23 points and Daniel Gafford’s 19 points and 15 rebounds for the Mavericks, the Thunder maintained control throughout the game.
Gafford’s missed putback attempt early in the game ended his impressive streak of consecutive made field goals at 33, falling just short of Wilt Chamberlain’s NBA record of 35.
As the Mavericks aim to secure their playoff position and avoid the play-in tournament, the intensity of the game led to disagreements with the officials, reflecting the competitive nature of the NBA’s late-season matchups.
Kidd acknowledged the competitive nature of the game, emphasizing the importance of playing through missed calls and maintaining focus during crucial moments in the season.
