Shai Gilgeous-Alexander/ Thunder vs Mavericks/ NBA Cup 2024/ Luka Doncic/ Oklahoma City Thunder/ OKLAHOMA CITY/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 39 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a commanding 118-104 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Cup quarterfinals. Oklahoma City’s elite defense limited Luka Doncic to just 16 points, while Jalen Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein provided key support. The Thunder now await the winner of Golden State vs. Houston for a semifinal clash in Las Vegas.
Thunder vs. Mavericks NBA Cup: Quick Looks
- Star Performer: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dominated with 39 points, including a 16-point third quarter.
- Key Support: Jalen Williams added 18 points; Isaiah Hartenstein recorded a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds.
- Defensive Masterclass: Luka Doncic was held to 16 points on 5-for-15 shooting, thanks to Oklahoma City’s strong perimeter defense.
- Crucial Third Quarter: The Thunder went on a 13-2 run, building a decisive 70-56 lead.
- Team Stats: Oklahoma City capitalized on Dallas’ 19 turnovers, scoring 36 points off those mistakes.
Thunder Dominate Mavericks 118-104, Advance in NBA Cup
Deep Look
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a standout performance as the Oklahoma City Thunder surged past the Dallas Mavericks, 118-104, in the NBA Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday night. His 39-point effort showcased why he remains one of the league’s elite scorers. Supported by Jalen Williams’ 18 points and Isaiah Hartenstein’s commanding presence inside with 10 points and 13 rebounds, Oklahoma City secured a place in Saturday’s semifinals in Las Vegas, where they’ll face the Golden State-Houston winner.
The Thunder’s defense played a pivotal role in the victory. Luka Doncic, one of the Mavericks’ top stars, was held to a mere 16 points, struggling against the relentless defensive trio of Lu Dort, Alex Caruso, and Cason Wallace. Doncic managed only 5-of-15 shooting from the field, including a dismal 1-for-7 first half.
P.J. Washington, a frequent nemesis for Oklahoma City, was notably absent due to illness, leaving Dallas without a key weapon. Though Kyrie Irving contributed 17 points and both Naji Marshall and Klay Thompson added 19 apiece, the Mavericks couldn’t keep pace.
At halftime, Oklahoma City clung to a narrow 57-54 lead, thanks largely to Gilgeous-Alexander’s 18 points. But the third quarter saw the Thunder explode offensively and defensively. Opening the half with a 13-2 run, Gilgeous-Alexander took command, scoring nine of those points. Isaiah Joe capped the quarter with a long three-pointer, extending Oklahoma City’s lead to 90-73.
Dallas faltered under the Thunder’s pressure, committing 19 turnovers that resulted in 36 Oklahoma City points. Additionally, the Mavericks shot just 6-for-19 in the third quarter after an efficient 50% shooting performance in the first half. This dip in performance proved fatal to their chances.
The addition of Hartenstein in the offseason as a free agent paid dividends for Oklahoma City, as his physicality bolstered their rebounding efforts. The Thunder outperformed Dallas 52-44 on the boards, a key factor in maintaining their dominance throughout the game.
With this victory, Oklahoma City seeks to build on their momentum as they prepare for Saturday’s semifinal. Meanwhile, the Mavericks must regroup before their next game against the Los Angeles Clippers on December 19.
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