Oklahoma City —If you know anything about the Mavericks they will fight to the very end it doesn’t matter who is on the hardwood, they just have one thing on their mind, just get it done.
P.J. Washington delivered a standout performance with 27 points and a career-high 17 rebounds, propelling the Dallas Mavericks to a narrow 121-119 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night. The Mavericks managed the win despite missing their star guard Luka Dončić, who was sidelined due to a bruised right knee.
Washington, who had been averaging just over eight points and seven rebounds per game this season, stepped up in Dončić’s absence. His effort, combined with strong support from Kyrie Irving’s 23 points, helped Dallas maintain offensive efficiency, shooting 48% from the field.
On the Thunder’s side, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued his stellar form, scoring 36 points, while Jalen Williams added 27. Oklahoma City entered the game with an impressive Western Conference-best record of 11-2 and managed to stay competitive despite being without rookie Chet Holmgren, now 3-1 in his absence.
The Mavericks seemed to be in full control, leading 112-98 with just over six minutes remaining. However, the Thunder mounted a furious rally, cutting the deficit to 121-118. With 8 seconds left, Gilgeous-Alexander forced a jump ball against Irving and won it, giving Oklahoma City possession with 6.6 seconds on the clock.
Dallas fouled Gilgeous-Alexander with 4.3 seconds remaining. He made the first free throw but missed the second, setting up a last-second opportunity for Lu Dort, whose off-balance, contested three-point attempt at the buzzer fell short.
Key Takeaways Of The Game:
Mavericks’ Dominance on the Boards: Dallas leveraged their size advantage, outrebounding the Thunder 53-29.
Thunder’s Turnover Struggles: Oklahoma City, known for forcing turnovers to generate extra opportunities, couldn’t capitalize against Dallas. The Mavericks, led by Irving’s steady playmaking, committed only 16 turnovers—well below what the Thunder typically force.
Game-Changing Play
In the final moments, Gilgeous-Alexander dazzled by faking out Naji Marshall, dropping him to the floor, and draining a step-back three-pointer to cut Dallas’ lead to 121-118 with 25.2 seconds remaining.
Despite the Thunder’s spirited comeback, the Mavericks held firm to secure a much needed road win.
Up Next:
The Mavericks plays New Orleans on Tuesday at home, the same day the Thunder travels to San Antonio.
