Luka Doncic’s triple-double and P.J. Washington’s clutch free throws propelled the Dallas Mavericks to a shocking 117-116 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, erasing a 17-point deficit and securing their spot within the NBA Western Conference finals on Saturday.
The Mavericks, who beat the top-seeded Thunder 4-2 within the best-of-seven convention semifinal collection, advance to the convention finals for the second time in three years.
Awaiting them within the subsequent spherical are both the defending champion Denver Nuggets or the Minnesota Timberwolves, who have been set to play a deciding Game 7 of their collection on Sunday.
“Being down 17 in a closeout game isn’t a position you want to be in,” mentioned Dallas star Kyrie Irving. “We needed to reply the best way we have responded all season, simply taking part in hard-nosed basketball on the defensive finish, getting out in transition and simply trusting that our tempo would get us again within the recreation.
“It definitely feels good to get the series done.”
Doncic scored 29 factors with 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Irving and Derrick Jones Jr. scored 22 factors apiece, and Dereck Lively added 12 off the bench for the Mavs.
Washington scored all 9 of his factors within the fourth quarter, together with two free throws with 2.5 seconds remaining that lifted the Mavs to victory.
“I think he was just waiting for his moment,” Irving mentioned.
It got here after a controversial name within the waning seconds with the Mavs down 116-115. Doncic drove into the lane then handed to Washington within the nook, however Washington was fouled on his three-point try by Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Oklahoma City challenged the decision, but it surely stood. Washington made the primary two free throws earlier than deliberately lacking the third, the Thunder grabbing the rebound however unable to make a shot from past half courtroom.
“If I had the moment back, I wouldn’t have fouled him, let him make or miss the shot,” Gilgeous-Alexander mentioned. “Basketball — you win some, you lose some. You make mistakes.”
Gilgeous-Alexander, like Doncic, a finalist for the Most Valuable Player award gained by Denver’s Nikola Jokic, scored 36 factors to steer the Thunder, who led by 16 at halftime and pushed the benefit to 17 early within the third earlier than the Mavericks stormed again in entrance of a frenzied dwelling crowd.
Amazing effort
Facing elimination, the Thunder burst out of the gate and led by seven after one quarter.
Doncic gave the Mavs their first lead of the sport with lower than 5 minutes left within the second quarter.
The Thunder responded with a vengeance as back-to-back dunks from Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams restored their lead. Oklahoma City completed the second quarter on a 24-6 run to steer 64-48 at halftime.
With Doncic and Irving main the best way, the Mavs clawed again within the third, outscoring the Thunder 35-26 within the interval.
“The whole team is amazing,” Doncic mentioned. “Amazing comeback, amazing effort. This team is special.”
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault was filled with reward for his younger group. Oklahoma City’s beginning 5 have a median age of 23, however matched the Nuggets for the most effective report within the West and swept the New Orleans Pelicans within the first spherical of the playoffs.
“I’ve said all year this has been a total pleasure,” he mentioned. “It’s really sad for that to finish.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com