Kyrie Irving Leads Mavericks 106-98 Over Thunder/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Dallas Mavericks beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 106-98 on Friday, capitalizing on the absence of All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who sat out with a wrist injury. Kyrie Irving led Dallas with 25 points, while a dominant second quarter helped secure the win. Oklahoma City’s comeback fell short despite strong performances from Jalen Williams and Lu Dort.
Mavericks Capitalize on Shai’s Absence for Key Win: Quick Looks
- Irving’s Big Night: Kyrie Irving scored 25 points to lead Dallas.
- Thunder’s Struggles: OKC played without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA’s leading scorer.
- Dominant Second Quarter: Dallas outscored OKC 41-17 in the second period.
- Thunder’s Comeback: OKC closed within a point but fell short in the fourth.
- Injury Concerns: Mavericks’ Luka Doncic and Dereck Lively II remain sidelined.
- Historic Win: Dallas became the first team to beat OKC twice this season.
Kyrie Irving Leads Mavericks 106-98 Over Thunder
Deep Look
The Dallas Mavericks ended a three-game losing streak Friday night with a 106-98 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. The victory came as OKC’s All-Star guard and NBA scoring leader Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31.6 PPG) missed his first game of the season due to a sprained wrist.
Mavericks Shine Without Doncic
Kyrie Irving took charge in Luka Doncic’s absence, scoring a team-high 25 points. Spencer Dinwiddie and P.J. Washington Jr. added 16 points each to help Dallas improve to 23-19. The Mavericks took control in the second quarter, outscoring the Thunder 41-17, including a 16-3 advantage in points off turnovers, and led 63-43 at halftime.
Despite a strong third-quarter comeback by OKC, the Mavericks held on in the fourth, thanks to clutch plays from Irving and Dinwiddie.
Thunder’s Comeback Falls Short
Without Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder (34-7) struggled offensively, failing to produce a 20-point scorer for the first time this season. Jalen Williams led the team with 19 points, while Lu Dort added 18. OKC outscored Dallas 33-14 in the third quarter, closing the gap to 77-76, but couldn’t sustain the momentum.
Key Moment
Late in the fourth quarter, OKC trailed 98-93 and successfully challenged a call to regain possession. However, Kyrie Irving grabbed a crucial rebound off a missed floater by Jalen Williams, and Spencer Dinwiddie sank a 3-pointer to extend the Mavericks’ lead to eight, sealing the game.
Notable Injuries
The Mavericks continue to deal with injuries to key players:
- Luka Doncic: Out since Christmas with a calf strain.
- Dereck Lively II: Missed his second straight game due to a sprained ankle.
- Jaden Hardy: Played just 1:19 before spraining his ankle.
- Dwight Powell: Exited in the third quarter with a hip injury.
Key Stats
- Mavericks’ Second Quarter: Outscored OKC 41-17, creating a cushion they never fully lost.
- Season Series: Dallas is the first team to beat OKC twice this season, both without Doncic.
What’s Next
- Thunder: Return home for a three-game stretch starting Sunday against Brooklyn.
- Mavericks: Travel to Charlotte to face the Hornets on Monday.
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