Advertisement

Thunder vs Mavericks recap: Luka Doncic, Dallas take 2-1 series lead in West semifinals

justin martinez, joe mussatto, joel lorenzi and jeff patterson, the oklahoman
·10 min read

The No. 1-seeded OKC Thunder will travel to face the No. 5 Dallas Mavericks in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

The best-of-seven series is tied at 1-1. Dallas earned a 119-110 road win in Game 2 on Thursday.

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

More: Thunder-Mavericks takeaways: Luka Doncic leads charge to even up NBA playoff series vs OKC

Thunder vs. Mavericks live score updates

More: Luka Doncic embraces villain role as Mavericks topple Thunder, even up NBA playoff series

Final: Mavericks 105, Thunder 101 | Luka Doncic, Dallas take 2-1 series lead

OKC drops Game 3, 105-101. Thunder went 7 for 20 and 2 for 8 from 3 in the fourth quarter. Shai was 1 for 6 in that time. SGA finishes with 31-10-6 on 23 shots. PJ Washington, Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic each with at least 22 points on at least 17 shots.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

More: OKC Thunder can't stop PJ Washington as Mavericks take control of NBA playoff series

1:32 left in 4Q: Mavericks 102, Thunder 99

Luka Doncic shaken up after collision with Lu Dort. Mavs ball.

More: Mussatto: OKC Thunder now in big trouble in NBA playoffs thanks to Mavericks' 16-0 run

End third quarter: Mavs 82, Thunder 78 | Jalen Williams exits game with ankle injury

Jalen Williams exited the third quarter at the 3:06 mark with a left ankle injury, which he sustained while fighting off a screen.

Williams went to the locker room for further evaluation. OKC trailed 74-70 at the time, but Dallas extended its lead to 82-78 entering the fourth quarter.

More: Jalen Williams injury: OKC Thunder forward exits Game 3 vs Mavericks in third quarter

5:15 left in 3Q: Mavericks 68, Thunder 65

Mavs on a run. PJ Washington still being a menace. Thunder lead — which was just 10 1:25 ago — down to two.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

Is Jalen Williams a closer just like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?

Former Warriors executive Bob Myers just said on ABC's halftime show that OKC only has one closer. Friendly reminder that Jalen Williams ranked 27th in the NBA in regular-season clutch points (82) with a true shooting percentage of 80.2%.

—Justin Martinez, Staff writer

9:39 left in 3Q: Thunder 61, Mavericks 55 | OKC takes largest lead of Game 3

Interesting start to the half for Giddey. Hits a 3 at the top of the key, then next trip down Shai motions for Chet to get the ball to Giddey’s side. Giddey then drives past Gafford for a layup.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

How much has Josh Giddey played for Thunder vs Mavericks in Game 3?

For those tracking the Thunder rotation, Josh Giddey has played 8:01 tonight (1:48 in the 2nd). Gordon Hayward hasn't played. Kenrich Williams hasn't played either.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

Half: Thunder 52, Mavericks 51

Isaiah Joe has been an end-of-quarter killer. Late 3 puts OKC up 52-51 at half. Second quarter offense was fluid. Got notable shotmaking from Shai, JDub and Joe. Only uncharacteristic turnovers kept OKC from blowing the game open. Up to 52.6% from the field and 6/15 from 3.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

8:40 left in 2Q: Thunder 34, Mavericks 31 | Isaiah Joe gives OKC first lead

Isaiah Joe is 3-for-3 from the field for seven points in six minutes. OKC is on a 19-7 run.

—Jeff Patteron, Staff writer

End first quarter: Mavs 26, Thunder 23 | OKC weathers early storm in Game 3

Thunder trails 26-23 after 1. Been mostly Washington for Dallas. Been mostly Shai for OKC despite the coverage forcing him to hit the corners so often. Chet has been everything at the rim. Dallas is 8/15 on shots in the paint. OKC 3 for 10 from 3 after that Joe shot.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

1:42 left in 1Q: Mavericks 24, Thunder 17 | PJ Washington boosting Dallas

PJ Washington has been everything for Dallas. Ran thru him on the empty side post to start this game, now he’s just banging 3s and racking up putbacks. He’s got 11 points on 5-for-7 shooting.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

8:46 left 1Q: Mark Daigneault challenging Lu Dort foul on Luka Doncic

Mark Daigneault challenging that foul on Dort, which would be three Luka FTs. We’re three minutes into this game. Haven’t seen the replay, but would be brutal to lose one this early. But Dort seemed confident, as did Daigneault.

Ruling stands, challenge unsuccessful. That’s three straight games that OKC has lost its challenge in the first half. Dort having a discussion with the crew.

Mavericks lead 13-5.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

Jalen Williams wears 'Step Brothers' shirt of him, Jaylin Williams

Jalen Williams has caught a lot of attention for his wardrobe throughout the NBA playoffs, but the second-year Thunder forward was a little more low-key in Saturday's pregame attire.

Williams sported a shirt spoofing the 2008 Will Ferrell classic "Step Brothers" with Jaylin Williams taking the place of Ferrell and J-Dub super imposed over John C. Reilly.

—Jeff Patteron, Staff writer

Will Josh Giddey start for Thunder in Game 3?

Mark Daigneault declined to answer when asked Saturday before the game if Josh Giddey will be in the Thunder's starting lineup for Game 3.

Daigneault said he's never disclosed his starting lineup before the game, and he wasn't going to start Saturday.

Giddey was a minus-20 in Game 2 in a season-low 11 minutes.

Mavericks forward PJ Washington scored a playoff career-high 29 points against the Thunder in Game 2.

Before Game 3, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault was asked if Washington's performance caught the Thunder by surprise.

Daigneault pointed out that Washington has long been a Thunder killer.

"It felt like every shot went in when he was at Charlotte," Daigneault said.

—Joe Mussatto, Staff writer

More: Has Josh Giddey regressed in NBA playoffs? Mark Daigneault defends OKC Thunder guard

Luka Doncic injury status: Mavericks star will play in Game 3

Luka Doncic, listed as questionable (knee, ankle) going into Game 3, will play, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said before the game.

There was little doubt as to Doncic's availability, but now there's confirmation that Doncic is indeed a go.

Mavericks coach Jason Kidd was asked before the game if Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren reminds Kidd of any player.

Kidd thought for a few seconds.

"Maybe Victor?"

Holmgren, even in the playoffs, can't escape the Victor Wembanyama comparison.

"I hope that doesn't offend him," said Kidd, drawing laughs.

Kidd also said he sees elements of Giannis Antetokounmpo in Holmgren.

—Joe Mussatto, Staff writer

More: What makes Thunder's Lu Dort impossible to screen? Mavericks must 'brace for the hit'

Thunder vs. Mavericks highlights

Tweets by okcthunder

More: Mussatto: Thunder facing first true adversity in NBA playoffs after Game 2 loss to Mavs

OKC Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks NBA playoffs Game 3 predictions

Justin Martinez, The Oklahoman

It took a lot for Dallas to steal Game 2 in OKC on Thursday.

The Mavericks shot 48.6% from deep. They got 29 points from P.J. Washington. They got what tied for a career playoff-high 11 assists from Kyrie Irving.

Dallas earned that win. But as long as OKC can get back on track defensively, it should be able to come out on top in Game 3.

Prediction: Thunder 112, Mavericks 109

More: What makes Thunder's Lu Dort impossible to screen? Mavericks must 'brace for the hit'

Game 3: How to watch OKC Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks

  • Date: Saturday, May 11

  • Time: 2:30 p.m. CT

  • TV: ABC

  • Live Stream: Sling (watch for free)

More: Has Josh Giddey regressed in NBA playoffs? Mark Daigneault defends OKC Thunder guard

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 knee sprain and left ankle soreness) is questionable.

More: How OKC Thunder's Mark Daigneault ascended from UConn manager to NBA Coach of the Year

Projected OKC Thunder starting lineup

  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (30.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 6.2 APG)

  • Josh Giddey (12.3 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 4.8 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: Was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander snubbed in NBA MVP voting? Shaquille O'Neal thinks so

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: At 16, Sam Presti wrote letter saying Celtics should draft Jason Kidd: 'He was right'

OKC Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks playoff series schedule

  • Game 1: OKC 117, Dallas 95

  • Game 2: Dallas 119, OKC 110

  • Game 3: 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Dallas (ABC)

  • Game 4: 8:30 p.m. Monday in Dallas (TNT)

  • Game 5: 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 15, in OKC (TNT)

  • Game 6 (if necessary): 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18, in Dallas (ESPN)

  • Game 7 (if necessary): 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 20, in OKC (TNT)

More: Why is OKC Thunder playing deep rotations in NBA playoffs? Mark Daigneault explains

OKC Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks regular-season series record

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

More: Mussatto: Why Thunder vs Mavericks is the NBA rivalry we have longed for

OKC Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks NBA playoffs Game 3 betting odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Saturday, May 11

  • Spread: Dallas (-2.5)

  • Over/under: 217.5

  • Moneyline: Dallas -145 | OKC +120

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

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder falls to Mavericks in Game 3, trails 2-1 in NBA playoffs