In a thrilling matchup on Wednesday night, Luka Doncic led the Dallas Mavericks to a 104-92 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, putting them ahead 3-2 in the Western Conference semifinal series.
Despite struggling in the previous games, Doncic exploded for 31 points in a triple-double performance. Playing through injuries to his knee and ankle, he showcased his scoring ability by shooting 12 of 22 from the field, while also dishing out 11 assists and grabbing 10 rebounds.
Derrick Jones Jr. and P.J. Washington Jr. provided valuable contributions for the Mavericks, with Jones scoring a playoff career-high 19 points and Washington adding a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
On the other side, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put up a strong performance for the Thunder with 30 points, but lacked support from his teammates as no other player scored more than 13 points.
The Mavericks’ solid defense held the Thunder to just 42.5% shooting, allowing them to secure the crucial road win. With the series now shifting back to Dallas, the Mavericks have the opportunity to close out the series and advance to the Western Conference finals with a win at home on Saturday.
Despite a late surge from the Thunder in the fourth quarter, the Mavericks maintained their lead and never let their opponents get closer than seven points, ultimately sealing the victory.