Thunder match against Mavericks in 121-119 loss

On By Littum

OKLAHOMA CITY — Collecting the intentionally missed free throw, OKC’s scramble drill in the final seconds resulted in a 3-point heave by Lu Dort that didn’t land near the rim. The final buzzer sounded and any faint hope of a comeback vanished.

The Oklahoma City Thunder continue to be haunted by Dallas Mavericks with a 121-119 loss. Despite a major character change, this contest was eerily similar to last year’s playoff series. To the point that it felt like a rewind episode.

Incredible shooting from both sides saw the Thunder trail the Mavericks 39-34 after the first quarter. They both came crashing back to Earth in the second image. Dallas had a 64-58 halftime advantage.

An OKC 10-2 run in the third quarter tied it at 73 apiece with a Lu Dort 3-pointer. The Mavericks called timeout and immediately regained their lead. The Thunder left the third quarter in a 97-92 hole. An 8-2 run by Dallas to start the fourth frame dug OKC even further into a 105-94 deficit.

Kyrie Irving served as Dallas’ closer as a stepback 3-pointer ballooned its lead to 14 points with just over six minutes remaining. Trailing by 11 points with four minutes left, Jalen Williams knocked down a pair of 3-pointers to make it interesting again.

The Thunder were within five points with just over three minutes remaining. That’s when PJ Washington converted a floater and Irving hit another 3-pointer to push the Mavericks’ lead to 10 points with two minutes left.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander trimmed it to a one-possession deficit when he swished in a stepback 3-pointer with 25 seconds left. After he forced and won a critical jump ball against Irving, OKC suddenly had hope.

Down by three points with six seconds left, the Thunder called a timeout and had the unlikely chance to at least force overtime. Instead, Jason Kidd let the air out of the balloon of a potential clutch moment as the Mavericks deliberately beat Gilgeous-Alexander.

The Mavericks believe in the foul up three crowd. The final seconds showed why this is a good strategy. Instead of a set play, OKC was left with a scramble drill that resulted in a bad miss. Just like that, the Thunder lost again to Dallas in a close situation.

The Thunder shot 49% from the field and went 14-of-42 (33.3%) from 3. They had 29 assists on 43 baskets. A 19-of-25 night from the free throw line looks good on paper, but poor in comparison. The Thunder had four players score in double figures.

Gilgeous-Alexander finished with an efficient 36 points. Williams stepped up with an efficient 27 points. Dort contributed 18 points

Meanwhile, the Mavericks survived Luka Doncic’s absence. They shot 48% from the field and went 11-of-27 (40.7%) from 3. They had a busy 30-of-36 night from the free throw line. They tallied 18 assists on 40 baskets and outscored OKC by an eye-popping 53 to 29 advantage. Seven Mavericks players scored in double figures.

Irving had 23 points and six assists. Washington continues to be OKC’s Kryptonite with a season-high 27 points on 7-of-13 shooting and 17 rebounds. He scored eight points in the first minute. Daniel Gafford had a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.

While frustrating, not much can be taken from this loss to the Mavericks. Too many important variables were absent from both sides. The Thunder have been fine without Chet Holmgren, but this is a clear example of why they need Isaiah Hartenstein to return.

Let’s look at the Thunder player’s grades:

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: A-plus

Just like in the playoffs, Gilgeous-Alexander did more than enough to win. He was the best player on the court and consistently dominated all night.

Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 36 points on 13-of-19 shooting, eight assists and two rebounds. He shot 9-of-11 from the free throw line. Dallas had no answer to stop last year’s MVP runner-up.

The mid-range game was lethal and his drives resulted in free throws. His lone outside shot made it a one-possession contest with 25 seconds left.

This game felt like a serious case of deja vu, and Gilgeous-Alexander’s one-man brilliance gone to waste was another cruel reminder of how last year’s season ended.

Jalen Williams: A-plus

A slow first half left fans unsatisfied. Williams falling into the background was his biggest letdown in the playoffs last year. A six-point half against the Mavericks had the same flow. Then the second half clicked for the 23-year-old.

Williams went from ice to hot in an instant. It led to one of his best games of the season. He finished with 27 points on 11-of-17 shooting, five rebounds and five assists. He shot 3-of-6 from 3.

A 13-point explosion in the fourth quarter almost got the Thunder back. Back-to-back 3-pointers from Williams energized the OKC crowd.

Although the Thunder lost, this was a step in the right direction for Williams long term. For some reason he has struggled against Dallas. Perhaps this is a turning point towards the positive. His individual impact in a potential playoff rematch could decide the series.

Lu Dort: A-minus

It was a strong home field for Dort. Not only did he survive a four-man gauntlet of James Harden, Brandon Ingram, Devin Booker and Irving; he enjoyed the tasks. Compliments that the 25-year-old, with his hot outside shooting, is suddenly one of OKC’s best players.

Dort finished with 18 points on 5-of-10 shooting, five rebounds and three assists. He shot 4-of-9 from 3 and went 4-of-6 from the free throw line.

Like Gilgeous-Alexander, Dort did enough to warrant a win. It would have been more exciting to see him struggle against Doncic, but that shouldn’t take away from his positive output.

Dillon Jones: B-minus

The Thunder needed a jolt of energy, and Jones provided it. The 23-year-old had his best game of the season against the Mavericks. Lucky timing, too, as OKC had no answers in the frontcourt.

Jones finished with 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting, three assists and two rebounds. He shot 2-of-3 from 3.

It’s been a quiet start to his rookie season. Ajay Mitchell has surprisingly had the bigger role. But this was Jones’ best outing to date. With such a thin frontcourt, the 23-year-old took advantage of the opportunity and logged decent minutes.

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