Luka Dončić, Mavs Applauded by NBA Fans as SGA, Thunder Suffer 1st Loss of Playoffs
Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIMay 10, 2024
Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images
Luka Dončić and P.J. Washington each scored 29 points to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 119-110 road win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinals series, which is now tied at one game apiece.
Dončić added 10 rebounds and seven assists despite dealing with a right knee sprain bad enough to land him on the injury report. Washington grabbed 11 boards and went 7-of-11 from three-point range (Dallas shot 18-of-37 from downtown overall).
Tim Hardaway Jr. was the Mavs’ unsung hero after scoring 10 unanswered points to turn a tight 80-79 lead into a more comfortable 90-79 edge. Hardaway finished with 17 points in 19 minutes.
Despite Hardaway’s scoring spurt, the Thunder fought back and cut the Mavs’ lead to four in the fourth quarter. However, OKC could not get any closer.
Mavs guard Kyrie Irving only scored nine points but excelled elsewhere with 11 assists, two blocks and two steals.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander posted 33 points (on 13-of-24 shooting), 12 rebounds and eight assists for the Thunder, who lost their first playoff game this season. Jalen Williams added 20 points.
This was an impressive bounceback performance from Dallas, which lost 117-95 in Game 1. Fans and analysts applauded Dončić and the Mavs after their efforts.
Anthony Slater @anthonyVslaterThunder gave up 92, 92, 85, 89, 95 points their first five playoff games. Mavericks torched them for 119 tonight. They made 18 3s. Thirty assists. Only nine turnovers. Luka Doncic was great, P.J. Washington exploded, but plenty of OKC breakdowns. Series tied 1-1.
Mavs Film Room 🐴🎥 @MavsFilmRoomYou get no credit for playing hurt in the playoffs, but Luka is a tough motherf***** and I don’t think it’s been appreciated enough by his own fans
NBA Memes @NBAMemesPJ Washington for absolutely no bleeping reason tonight: pic.twitter.com/SEguEWCluD
Bobby Belt @BobbyBeltTXTHJ and PJ Washington right now: pic.twitter.com/O4ZhtVq8sQ
RingerNBA @ringernbaTim Hardaway Jr. treating the Thunder defense like Dion Waiters in 2014
Draymond Green @Money23GreenTim Hardaway Jr 🤷🏿♂️🤷🏿♂️🤷🏿♂️
Tim MacMahon @espn_macmahonLuka Doncic (29-10-7) had the kind of performance that’s expected of him.
P.J. Washington (29-11-4) had the kind of performance that can swing a series.
Mavs get on the board. Series even headed to Dallas for Game 3.
Tony Jones @TjonesonthenbaGreat, incredibly resilient performance by Dallas……the mavericks showed a ton of toughness
Josh Bowe @Boweman55the mavericks defense continually does this thing where they decide the other team just isn’t scoring for four minutes. they had at least three of those stretches tonight. and when I meant “isn’t scoring” I’m being literal. Like zero or one field goal allowed in those stretches.
Joel Moran @joelvmoranWhen you’re playing against a team that’s game plan is to leave you wide open you better take that personally.
Mavericks role players responded:
PJ – 29 PTS / 11 REB / 7 3PM’s
THJ – 17 PTS / 2 3PM’s
Green – 11 PTS / 3 3PM’s
Shot 48.6% from 3 as a team.
MFFL NATION @NationMfflI hope no one judges Kyrie Irving tonight by the box score.
His facilitating tonight and on-ball defense was beyond impressive and was a huge factor in tonight’s win for the Mavs.
– 9 PTS
– 11 AST
– 2 STL
– 2 BLK pic.twitter.com/HQeTTkUdxI
Autumn @autumnaticdubLuka every two minutes pic.twitter.com/Ffh8WDT0E8
Mavs Film Room 🐴🎥 @MavsFilmRoomGritty, gritty, road win by the Mavs to even the series.
A hobbled Luka Dončić is still better than your favorite player. PJ Washington has been everything and more for the Mavs in these playoffs.
Best of 5 series heading back to Dallas. pic.twitter.com/IORPmUA2a7
Game 3 of the best-of-seven matchup will take place in Dallas on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET.
