Luka Dončić sparks Mavericks' 17-point comeback, ousting Thunder

P.J. Washington Jr. sealed the fate of the Oklahoma City Thunder with a pair of clutch free throws, securing a narrow 117-116 victory for the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night. This win propelled the Mavericks into the Western Conference finals for the second time in three seasons.

The critical moment arrived when Washington was fouled by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on a 3-point attempt, following a dunk by Chet Holmgren that briefly put the Thunder ahead 116-115 with just 20 seconds left on the clock.

Luka Doncic, who delivered an impressive performance with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, orchestrated the final play. Doncic drove to the basket before finding Washington in the corner. Washington's pump-fake drew a crucial foul from Gilgeous-Alexander, resulting in the decisive free throws.

Despite Oklahoma City's challenge, replay confirmed the foul, cementing Washington's opportunity at the free-throw line. After sinking the first two shots to give Dallas the lead, Washington strategically missed the third, leaving the Thunder with 2.5 seconds to conjure a response.

However, the Thunder's last-ditch effort fell short as Jalen Williams' desperate shot from beyond half-court failed to find the mark.

Commenting on the strategic timeout, Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault remarked, "Even if you advance the ball with 2.5 seconds at a deficit, your chances are very low."

The Mavericks' victory in Game 6 mirrored their first-round triumph over the Los Angeles Clippers, once again showcasing their resilience in overcoming significant deficits. Despite trailing by 17 points in the third quarter, the Mavericks rallied to secure the win on home turf.

With this victory, the Mavericks advance to face the winner of the Denver-Minnesota series in the Western Conference finals, commencing on Wednesday night. This marks a significant milestone for the Mavericks, who fell short in the 2022 Western Conference finals against eventual champions, Golden State Warriors.

The thrilling fourth quarter of Game 6 witnessed five lead changes and two ties in the final five minutes, showcasing the intensity of the matchup. Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder's offensive charge with an impressive 36-point performance, supported by contributions from Jalen Williams and Holmgren.

For the Mavericks, Kyrie Irving and Derrick Jones Jr. both delivered standout performances with 22 points each, complementing Doncic's triple-double effort.

The Mavericks' journey to the Western Conference finals reflects a remarkable turnaround from last season's struggles. Despite a lackluster start to the Doncic-Irving partnership, strategic acquisitions and improved performances propelled the Mavericks to success.

Notably, the addition of players like Washington and Daniel Gafford at the trade deadline bolstered the Mavericks' roster, contributing to their resurgence in the latter part of the season.

In contrast, the Thunder's postseason run came to an end after a promising start, with the team losing four out of five games following a strong 5-0 start.

Led by Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams, and Holmgren, the Thunder emerged as a formidable force in the Western Conference, clinching the top seed with a 57-25 record.

Daigneault's playoff debut marked a significant milestone for the Thunder, who showed considerable improvement from previous seasons, culminating in their first series victory since 2016.

The Mavericks' triumph over the Thunder underscores their resilience and determination, setting the stage for an exciting showdown in the Western Conference finals.