The Dallas Mavericks took down the Oklahoma City Thunder 105-101 on Saturday, May 11, to take a 2-1 game lead in the Western Conference Semi-Finals.
Mavericks forward PJ Washington led Dallas in scoring with 27 points, including five three-point baskets to lead all scorers. Washington also grabbed six rebounds and dished out two assists on the way to Dallas’ second win in the best-of-7 series. The Mavericks all-star duo, Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic, scored 22 points each, joining Washington as the only three Mavericks to score 20+ points. Doncic recorded a game-high 15 rebounds, which played a major factor in Dallas out-rebounding Oklahoma City 60-48, including grabbing 15 offensive rebounds to the Thunder’s six.
P.J. Washington dropped a playoff career-high 29 PTS in Game 2 and he has a team high in Game 3 🔥 pic.twitter.com/t45ZMUwozh
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 11, 2024
Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City in scoring and rebounding, recording a 31 points, ten-rebound double-double to add to his six assists. Forward Jalen Williams (16) and center Chet Holmgren (13) joined Gilgeous-Alexander as the only Thunder starters to record double-digit scoring. Isaiah Joe gave the Thunder a spark off the bench, scoring 13 points and shooting 3-4 from beyond the three-point line to pick up the slack for forward Lou Dort (8) and guard Josh Giddey (9), who both failed to reach double-digit scoring. However, Joe’s spark was not enough to grant Oklahoma City a victory, as Kyrie Irving sealed the game with 39.3 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter after driving to the paint and sinking a left-handed floater to extend the Mavericks lead to 104-99.
MAVS TAKE 2-1 SERIES LEAD AFTER CLUTCH KYRIE BUCKET 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Ff42E15qyy
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 11, 2024
The Mavericks host Game 4 on Monday, May 13, where they hope to take a 3-1 series lead over the No. 1 seeded Thunder. Oklahoma City looks to capture a game on the road and even the series at 2-2 before returning to Oklahoma for Game 5 on Wednesday, May 15.