The Oklahoma City Thunder made it clear why they are one of the league's most promising teams by defeating the Dallas Mavericks 118-104 in the NBA Cup quarterfinals. In a duel between the two top-ranked teams in the West, the Thunder took advantage of their stout defense and the offensive inspiration of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to secure their passage to the next round.
The game, played in Oklahoma, showed the difference between a team that came with maximum intensity and another that could not match the effort. While the Thunder executed a perfect plan to neutralize Luka Doncic, the Mavericks suffered on both sides of the court, accumulating mistakes and missing a key opportunity to stay in the tournament.
Defensive Strategy Based On Stopping Doncic
From the opening tip-off, it was clear that the Thunder had a well-defined plan: limit Doncic's impact as much as possible. With a defense led by Lu Dort, supported by Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace, the home team gave the Slovenian no respite.
Doncic, one of the most talented players in the league, had a first half to forget, scoring only two points on 1/7 shooting from the field, his worst record since his rookie season.
The Thunder's constant pressure not only affected Doncic, but also the rest of the Dallas team. The Mavericks totaled 19 turnovers that translated into 36 points for Oklahoma.
In addition, rebounding dominance was another key, with the home team grabbing 52 rebounds compared to Dallas' 44, including 17 offensive rebounds, a figure that stood out especially thanks to the performance of Isaiah Hartenstein.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Providing Leadership And Accuracy
While Doncic struggled to find his rhythm, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander offered an offensive recital. The Canadian shooting guard scored 37 points, including a spectacular stretch in the third quarter where he scored 16 with an almost perfect 7/8 shooting.
His ability to lead the Thunder was not only reflected in his scoring, but also in his ability to keep the team focused and execute at key moments.
Oklahoma also surprised with its volume of three-point shots, launching 50 total and hitting 20, an efficiency of 40%. Isaiah Joe provided one of the highlights with a three-pointer at the buzzer at the end of the third quarter that extended the lead to 17 points.
The Thunder's intensity and effectiveness disarmed the Mavericks, who found no tactical answers to stop the local onslaught.
Third Quarter Considered The Breaking Point
Until halftime, Dallas maintained some hope, trailing by only three points (57-54) and showing a 50% shooting efficiency. However, the third quarter was a disaster for the visitors.
Oklahoma opened the half with a 13-2 run led by Shai, which quickly extended the lead to 70-56. From that point on, the Mavericks looked completely disconnected, scoring just six of 19 attempts in the quarter.
The Thunder's dominance was sealed when Isaiah Joe made a three-pointer at the end of the third period, leaving the score at 90-73. Although Dallas tried to react in the last quarter, the difference was already too big to overcome.
In the final minutes, the Mavericks attempted a comeback led by Kyrie Irving, who hit two consecutive three-pointers. The team managed to cut the deficit to eight points, but lacked consistency to complete the comeback.
Doncic finished with 16 points, 11 rebounds and six turnovers, a quiet performance by his standards. Meanwhile, Klay Thompson and Naji Marshall led Dallas in scoring with 19 points each, but their effort was not enough.
A three-pointer by Lu Dort in the final moments closed any chance of a comeback and secured the victory for Oklahoma. The Thunder showed their strength as a team, combining defensive intensity, rebounding dominance and impeccable tactical execution.
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What's Next for Both Teams
With this victory, Oklahoma City prepares for the NBA Cup semifinals, where it will face the winner of the matchup between the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets. The mid-season tournament has been an ideal platform for the Thunder to demonstrate their ability to compete at the highest level.
For their part, the Mavericks will have to rethink their strategy after this loss. Despite having one of the best duos in the league in Doncic and Irving, the lack of depth on their roster was exposed against an opponent that played with more intensity and cohesion.
Their next challenge will be to face the Clippers on December 19, a crucial game to regain confidence and get back on track in the regular season.
