By Tim Cato, Anthony Slater, and Mark Puleo
May 19, 2024
The Dallas Mavericks rode a thrilling fourth-quarter comeback to defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder 117-116 in Game 6 and win their Western Conference semifinals series.
Dallas won on two P.J. Washington free throws after the forward was fouled on a 3-pointer by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with 2.5 seconds to play. Washington hit the first one to tie the game, the second one to take the lead and intentionally missed the third one to get the clock moving. The Thunder air-balled the full-court heave, allowing the Mavericks to advance to the West finals for the second time in three seasons.
P.J. Washington clutch gene 🧬
His 2 free-throws secure the Game 6 win… sending the @dallasmavs to the Western Conference Finals! pic.twitter.com/UgwplfehKe
— NBA (@NBA) May 19, 2024
Washington thrived late in the fourth quarter after struggling much of the game, scoring all nine of his points, including two 3s, in the final four minutes. His strong finish put the cherry on top of strong performances by Luka Dončić (29 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds), Kyrie Irving (22 points) and Derrick Jones Jr. (22 points), all three of whom hit four 3-pointers apiece.
Off the Dallas bench, Dereck Lively II injected game-changing energy, particularly on the offensive glass. He finished with 12 points and 15 rebounds in 29 minutes, and the team was a remarkable plus-25 with him on the court.
As was the case throughout the series, Thunder star Gilgeous-Alexander carried the team offensively, but didn’t get enough help. He finished with 36 points and eight assists, but key supporting cast members Chet Holmgren and Lu Dort battled foul trouble all game.
Holmgren finished his rookie season with a strong final quarter, throwing down what was at the time a go-ahead alley in the final minute. However, his deficiencies on the boards were a major reason Oklahoma City was outrebounded 47-31.
Dallas will advance to face the winner of the series between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets, which is tied at three games apiece with Game 7 taking place Sunday.
Mavericks 117, Thunder 116
Series: Dallas wins 4-2
These Mavericks can win it all
The Dallas Mavericks and Luka Dončić are heading to the conference finals for the second time in three years.
It took everything in Game 6: huge deficits overcome, late leads snatched and lost, gritty defense in the final seconds and superstars and role players stepping up with enormously important plays. It took a career performance from the unbelievably impressive Lively. It took 22 points from Jones Jr. It took game-winning free throws from Washington. It took Irving, Dončić’s new co-star, pushing through what he said was “probably” the hardest series he’s ever played.
All those players named weren’t in Dallas when Dončić led this team to the conference finals last time in 2022. The roster has completely changed, with Dončić as the common denominator. He’s the face of this new generation, a title he might not share alone, but has equal claim to as anyone else. He’s a generational player ready for the moment — any moment — including this one.
The Nuggets or the Timberwolves await. Dallas might not be favored against those teams, but they won’t feel that way. With Dončić leading them, it’s easy to feel like any challenge is one they can overcome. — Tim Cato, Mavericks beat writer
GO DEEPERLuka Dončić keeps ascending with the help of his best Mavericks team yetNow what for the Thunder?
The Thunder’s dream 57-win season hit its end point Saturday night in Dallas. They blew a 16-point second-half lead and made a fatal Game 6 mistake in the final seconds. Gilgeous-Alexander fouled Washington on a corner 3, and coach Mark Daigneault felt it consequential and close enough to challenge, risking his final timeout. The call was upheld. Washington hit two free throws to go up one, and the Thunder didn’t have a timeout, so they missed out on a true final possession.
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Considering their youth, this was a reasonable place for the Thunder to go out — deep in the second round in their first playoff run together. They only had two total playoff points from anybody over the age of 25. This core will be back. But questions will inevitably arrive this offseason. The Thunder, equipped with a war chest of assets and cap space, appear in need of an upgrade in the fifth spot of their starting lineup.
Josh Giddey was completely minimized in the Dallas series because of the Mavericks’ pack-the-paint strategy. Giddey played 17, 11, 13, 12, 12 and 11 minutes in the series, losing his starting spot by Game 5. In his place, Isaiah Joe didn’t shoot it well enough.
But it was the offensive struggles from Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren that ultimately hurt more. Neither of Gilgeous-Alexander’s top two running mates had more than 22 points in any of the six games. — Anthony Slater, NBA writer
GO DEEPERAfter a disappointing second-round exit, what's next for the Thunder?Sunday schedule
- Indiana Pacers at New York Knicks, 3:30 p.m. ET. (Series tied 3-3).
- Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver Nuggets, 8 p.m. ET. (Series tied 3-3).
Required reading
- Luka Dončić rediscovers the joy that makes him unique: ‘Sometimes, I forget it’s a thing I love’
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Inside the evolving leadership style of one of the NBA’s next-up stars
(Photo: Sam Hodde / Getty Images)
