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Thunder vs Mavericks recap: OKC’s season ends in Game 6 loss to Dallas in West semifinals

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Thunder vs Mavericks recap: OKC’s season ends in Game 6 loss to Dallas in West semifinals

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The No. 1-seeded OKC Thunder will travel to face the No. 5 Dallas Mavericks in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Dallas leads the best-of-seven series, 3-2. The Mavericks earned a 104-92 road win over the Thunder in Game 5 on Wednesday.

Here’s what you need to know about the matchup:

More: How can OKC Thunder beat Dallas Mavericks in Game 6 to extend NBA playoff series?

Thunder vs. Mavericks live score updates

More: Mussatto: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has passed last test by proving himself in NBA playoffs

P.J. Washington makes two of three free throws to give the Mavs the lead for good after having trailed by 17 points.

Jalen Williams misses a long shot.

Season over.

This is one of the wildest games I’ve ever witnessed. Shai gets a FT because of an off-ball whistle on PJ Washington. OKC now down 1, with the ball. 27 seconds. 14 on the shot clock. Thunder’s chance to extend its season is now.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

A Washington 3 and a Luka middy give Dallas the lead, 107-105. Doncic is barking. Not like the Thunder, but he is hyped. 3:39 to play.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

Daigneault turned to the double big lineup with roughly five minutes left and OKC’s season in the balance. JWill tapped an O board into play, then drove baseline on a closeout for a dunk. Then Lively came down and powered through Chet for an and-1. What a war.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

Lively has been unbelievable this series. The rim touch, the timely rebounds, the lobs, the defense. Just got Kyrie a second chance there to cut OKC’s lead to two. Lively is a team high plus-23. Gafford is a team low minus-25.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

Not sure what JDub’s thought process was to end the 3rd. Started walking it up before he seemed to realize the clock situation. Still 90-83 Thunder after 3. Both teams trading runs, the last one a 12-4 OKC stretch. PJ Washington passed the baton to DJJ. Shai isn’t human.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

Lu Dort avoids a fifth foul as Mark Daigneault wins the challenge.

Everyone take a breath.

Dallas is on a 9-0 run.

Strong close to the half for OKC, which leads 64-48. The 24-6 run, the Joe 3 to close. Getting a lot from Shai, who has 21 on 8-for-13 shooting. Thunder is 10 for 24 on 3s from a half. Notable closing sequence from JWill. Was in for that shot clock violation, banged a 3 after.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

Chet Holmgren and Lu Dort having three fouls with five minutes before halftime is less than ideal for OKC.

—Joe Mussatto, Staff writer

Timeout OKC after a quick 5-0 run by Dallas.

SGA has 13 points for the Thunder.

Doncic has 12 for the Mavs.

Jalen Williams pulls up from the logo to end the quarter and hits. Makes it 30-23 Thunder after 1. I believe that’s the first first quarter OKC has won this series. Shotmaking on its side now. 41.7% from 3. Still funneling plenty to Dort, but he’s hitting.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

As good of a start to this game as OKC can get — 13-4 lead, JDub with a couple slams already, Chet with a 3 in a window he might not have previously shot in, a Dort rim finish, a couple successful Luka blitzes, now a possible Dort four-point play.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

Isaiah Joe replacing Josh Giddey in the starting lineup again for Game 6 tonight.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

More: Why OKC Thunder’s Josh Giddey, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander donated to a young fan in need

The Thunder is facing elimination in the NBA playoffs tonight and the ESPN studio show has a few thoughts on why the Mavericks are a win away from the Western Conference finals.

Did the Thunder do enough to add size in the paint at the trade deadline?

Does the Thunder know any better, given the team’s youth?

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith and Michael Wilbon both have Dallas closing out the series tonight.

“This Oklahoma City Thunder team is coming and you better beat them now,” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said.

—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer

The Mavericks defense has been the story of the series. The way they’ve walled off the paint and forced the Thunder to beat them from 3-point range.

The additions of Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford, whom Dallas drafted and traded for, have played significant roles. 

Mavericks coach Jason Kidd was asked how this Dallas defense compares to Dallas’ defense in its 2022 Western Conference Finals run. 

“This team is probably better defensively … Probably not even close,” Kidd said. “And no disrespect to that first team. That first team was pretty good, too.” 

—Joe Mussatto, Staff writer

More: How has OKC Thunder’s imaginative offense collapsed vs. Dallas Mavericks in NBA playoffs?

The Thunder likes the looks it’s been getting. Shots just haven’t fallen, especially from 3-point range. 

“The most variant part of the game is if jump shots go in … We can’t overreact to one game ever,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said before Game 6. 

Daigneault said the Thunder was a better offensive team in Game 5 than it was in Game 4. 

We’ll see if Daigneault sticks with Isaiah Joe in the starting lineup Saturday. 

—Joe Mussatto, Staff writer

Thunder vs. Mavericks highlights

More: How can OKC Thunder beat Dallas Mavericks in Game 6 to extend NBA playoff series?

OKC Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks NBA playoffs Game 6 predictions

Justin Martinez, The Oklahoman

OKC gained momentum when it earned a comeback win in Game 4 on the road.

But Dallas snatched it right back with a convincing Game 5 victory. Luka Doncic played his best basketball of the series, recording a triple double, and OKC continued its struggles from deep despite starting Isaiah Joe over Josh Giddey.

The Mavericks have momentum and home court advantage entering Game 6. I’m picking them to close out the series.

Prediction: Dallas 103, OKC 97

More: How has OKC Thunder’s imaginative offense collapsed vs. Dallas Mavericks in NBA playoffs?

Game 6: How to watch OKC Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks

  • Date: Saturday, May 18
  • Time: 7 p.m. CT
  • TV: ABC
  • Live Stream: Sling (watch for free)

More: Five reasons why OKC Thunder season is on the brink after Game 5 loss to Dallas Mavericks

Injury report for OKC Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks

OKC Thunder injury report

None

Dallas Mavericks injury report

Maxi Kleber (right shoulder sprain) is out. Olivier Maxence-Prosper (left ankle sprain) is out. Luka Doncic (right ankle sprain, left ankle soreness) is probable.

More: OKC Thunder fans brought out best in Luka Doncic, who has Mavs on verge of West finals

Projected OKC Thunder starting lineup

  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (30.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 6.2 APG)
  • Isaiah Joe (8.2 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 1.3 APG)
  • Lu Dort (10.9 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1.4 APG)
  • Jalen Williams (19.1 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 4.5 APG)
  • Chet Holmgren (16.5 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 2.4 APG)

More: Mussatto: Why OKC Thunder removing Josh Giddey from starting lineup came at odd time

Projected Dallas Mavericks starting lineup

  • Luka Doncic (33.9 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 9.8 APG)
  • Kyrie Irving (25.6 PPG, 5 RPG, 5.2 APG)
  • Derrick Jones Jr. (8.6 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1 APG)
  • P.J. Washington (11.7 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 1.5 APG)
  • Daniel Gafford (11.2 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.6 APG)

More: Mussatto: Why Cason Wallace-Dereck Lively II trade was a win-win for Thunder, Mavericks

OKC Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks playoff series schedule

More: Why OKC Thunder’s Josh Giddey, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander donated to a young fan in need

OKC Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks regular-season series record

OKC won the regular-season series, 3-1.

More: Who will OKC Thunder select in 2024 NBA Draft? Here’s what mock drafts project at No. 12

OKC Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks NBA playoffs Game 6 betting odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Saturday, May 18

  • Spread: Dallas (-3.5)
  • Over/under: 209.5
  • Moneyline: Dallas -175 | OKC +145

More: 2018 NBA Re-Draft: Would Luka Doncic or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander go No. 1?

2024 NBA playoffs

First-round picks: Celtics vs Heat | Knicks vs 76ers | Bucks vs Pacers | Cavaliers vs Magic | Thunder vs Pelicans | Nuggets vs Lakers | Timberwolves vs Suns | Clippers vs Mavericks

Second-round picks: Thunder vs Mavericks | Nuggets vs Timberwolves | Celtics vs Cavaliers | Knicks vs Pacers

More: 2024 NBA playoffs: Complete schedule, bracket breakdown, how to watch

More OKC Thunder news

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