MAVERICKS 119,
THUNDER 110
OKLAHOMA CITY — Luka Doncic bounced back with 29 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists to help Dallas beat Oklahoma City and even the Western Conference semifinals at one win apiece.
The Thunder held Doncic to 19 points on 6-for-19 shooting in Game 1. He made 11 of 21 field goals in Game 2.
P.J. Washington added 29 points and 11 rebounds for the Mavericks. He averaged 12.9 points in the regular season.
Kyrie Irving added nine points and 11 assists for the No. 5-seeded Mavericks, who host Game 3 on Saturday.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 33 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists, and Jalen Williams added 20 points for the Thunder, who lost for the first time in the postseason and allowed more than 100 points for the first time in their six playoff games.
Doncic made his first three shots and scored eight points in the first three minutes to help Dallas take a 13-2 lead early. He scored 16 points on 6-for-8 shooting in the first quarter, but the Thunder had the play of the quarter. Oklahoma City inbounded from under the Dallas goal with 1.4 seconds left. Jaylin Williams threw it long for Chet Holmgren, who caught the ball while defended by two Mavericks in traffic, turned around and hit a long two-point jumper to cut Dallas’ lead to 36-32.
Dallas led 68-62 at halftime. Both teams made 25 of 47 shots before the break, but Dallas made 12 three-pointers to Oklahoma City’s six.
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) works the floor against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) during the first half in Game 2 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Thursday, May 9, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) goes up for a shot against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins (21) during the first half in Game 2 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Thursday, May 9, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, right, works the floor against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace during the first half in Game 2 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Thursday, May 9, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, right, shoots against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey during the first half in Game 2 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Thursday May 9, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, right, shoots against Dallas Mavericks forward Tim Hardaway Jr. during the first half in Game 2 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Thursday, May 9, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)