The Oklahoma City Thunder faced a tough challenge in Game 2 of their Western Conference second-round series against the Dallas Mavericks at Paycom Center. Despite a raucous home crowd and a strong defensive effort, the Thunder fell short as Luka Dončić led the Mavericks to a 119-110 victory.
Dončić, who had a subpar performance in Game 1, came out firing on all cylinders in Game 2. He silenced the crowd with his stellar play, finishing with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists. The young Slovenian star fed off the energy of the hostile environment, using the boos and taunts as motivation to elevate his game.
The Mavericks also got a strong performance from forward P.J. Washington, who tied a career-high with seven made 3-pointers and finished with 29 points. The duo of Dončić and Washington became the first pair of teammates in NBA history to both score 25-plus points, grab at least 10 rebounds, and drain at least five 3-pointers in a game.
Dallas’ sharpshooting from beyond the arc proved to be the difference in the game, as they converted 18-of-37 attempts compared to the Thunder’s struggles from long range. The Mavericks’ defense, led by Kyrie Irving, also played a key role in slowing down the Thunder’s high-octane offense.
With the series now tied at 1-1, both teams will head to Dallas for Game 3, where the Thunder are expected to come out with a strong response. Coach Mark Daigneault made adjustments to his lineup in Game 2, and the Thunder will look to make further changes to counter the Mavericks’ offensive firepower.
As the series continues, the battle between the Thunder and the Mavericks promises to be intense and unpredictable. Both teams are young and hungry, making for an exciting matchup that fans won’t want to miss. Stay tuned for more thrilling action as the series unfolds.