Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the Thunder to a decisive victory over the Mavericks, showcasing a near triple-double performance that echoes through the Western Conference.
On May 8, 2024, the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder showcased their dominance with a convincing 117-95 victory over the fifth-seeded Dallas Mavericks in the second round of the NBA playoffs. Spearheaded by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, dubbed the "New Thunder Emperor," who nearly achieved a triple-double with 29 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists, the Thunder continued their unbeaten streak with five consecutive playoff wins.
The game started evenly, with both teams locked in a tight contest in the first quarter. However, the Thunder pulled ahead in the second quarter thanks to a burst of 10 straight points from Aaron Wiggins, which shifted the momentum significantly. By halftime, the Thunder had built a nine-point lead, primarily through Gilgeous-Alexander's dynamic performance, which included 19 points from a combination of long-range shots and penetrative moves, adding considerable pressure on the Mavericks' defense.
The Mavericks attempted a comeback in the third quarter, fueled by Kyrie Irving, who shook off a poor first half to score quickly. Together with P.J. Washington, they narrowed the gap to just one point. Nonetheless, the Thunder quickly regained control, responding with an 8-2 run, highlighted by Gilgeous-Alexander sinking two crucial three-pointers, pushing the lead to 11 points.
Despite the Mavericks' efforts to close the gap, they could not sustain their momentum. The fourth quarter saw Jalen Williams of the Thunder take charge, scoring impressively, including a series of dunks that cemented the Thunder's dominance. Consecutive three-pointers by Wiggins and Cason Wallace later in the quarter extended the lead to over 20 points, sealing the victory for the Thunder as the Mavericks conceded by benching their stars, Luka Doncic and Irving.
Gilgeous-Alexander's standout performance, along with significant contributions from his teammates, underscored the depth and talent of the Thunder. His 29 points led all scorers, and he overshadowed his MVP candidate peers, Doncic and Holmgren, making a compelling case for his own MVP considerations.
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2024/05/08, picture citation source Associated Press