Luka Doncic Powers Mavs' Blowout Win vs. Thunder, Trade Additions Shine in Debut
DALLAS — After a perfect three-game road trip, the Dallas Mavericks (30-23) extended their win streak to four games after defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder (35-17) with a final score of 146-111. Luka Doncic finished with 32 points, nine assists, and eight assists after only 31 minutes.
The Mavs received strong debuts from recent trade acquisitions Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington, with both players coming off the bench. Gafford totaled 19 points, nine rebounds, and one block in 17 minutes. Washington played 24 minutes, providing 14 points, five rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
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Dallas received a strong outing from Kyrie Irving, who totaled 25 points, eight assists, and six rebounds, providing a helpful boost alongside Doncic and as the focal point of the bench group in plug-and-play lineups. He helped ensure the victory late, while Doncic, who played 31 minutes, didn't have to play in the fourth quarter after a long recent stretch of playing heavy minutes.
With Dereck Lively II sidelined as he recovers from a nasal fracture, Maxi Kleber continued to start at center. He played 25 minutes with 12 points, 12 rebounds, and three assists to show for it. Derrick Jones Jr. added eight points and four rebounds as a starter on the wing, while Josh Green, the other wing starter, ended with six points, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 25 points, six rebounds, and five assists, but the team overall struggled. Oklahoma City shot 38.8 percent from the floor and 36.2 percent from beyond the arc despite the All-Star guard shooting 9-16 overall. Chet Holmgren had a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Cason Wallace provided 15 points, with Josh Giddey being the team's only other double-figure scorer with 11, but he shot 3-14 overall and 3-9 from deep, often being left wide open for the Mavs to send an early low man.
It was a hot start for the Mavs, leading 12-2 with Doncic converting multiple step-back 3s. With the Slovenian superstar hitting yet another shot from deep, Dallas went up 20-7 midway through the period. Oklahoma City never held a lead at any point of the game, with Dallas' strong early results proving instrumental.
After being traded to the Mavs before Thursday's midseason deadline, Washington and Gafford checked in for the first time together, with 5:23 remaining in the first quarter, providing an instant spark by finishing lobs and making plays as complementary talents.
"I think it gives us an opportunity to look at different combinations. I thought [Daniel] Gafford was great on both ends, but I thought what we've seen playing against Gafford is he gets every offensive rebound," Mavs coach Jason Kidd said. "I thought he did that for us this afternoon at a very, very high level. We're going to need that.
"I thought defensively, to come in and pick up the schemes right away was a plus. Then P.J. [Washington Jr.], I thought he just let the game come to him and that's what we need," Kidd explained. "I thought, again, the pace was high. We didn't have to run anybody's minutes up and that was something that we talked about this afternoon. A lot of good stuff. I know I probably left something out but great team win."
The Mavs were up 47-30 at the end of the first quarter, marking the highest-scoring opening period in franchise history. It was a great sign with Gafford and Washington being among various players to make an impact, with Doncic setting the tone.
"They were great, they were great. Offensively, defensively, they didn't seem nervous. They were really good," Mavs coach Jason Kidd said. "That first quarter, I think they (the Mavs) set a franchise record for 47 points in the first and I think let everyone know that everybody is comfortable and excited about having those two as a part of the team. I thought it was a great team win from start to finish."
The Thunder had a 15-0 run to make it 47-35, with Irving running the bench group, but the Mavs responded with hot perimeter shooting to go back up by 19. After Jaden Hardy hit a 3-pointer, the Thunder called a timeout with 8:40 to play before halftime.
Using a significant surge in the second quarter, the Thunder came within four points after trailing by as many as 22. Dallas managed to withstand that push, regaining a double-figure lead before halftime and up 71-62 entering the break.
With Gafford and Washington making timely contributions throughout the third quarter, the Mavs maintained control of the momentum. Dallas was up 100-83 with 3:39 left in the third quarter after Washington made a corner 3-pointer, then drove a closeout and made a floater playing off two feet in the paint.
"I was just trying to keep the game simple and not try to do too much," Washington said. "The guys trust me, so I just have to go out there and be myself."
Gafford pulled down an offensive rebound after Irving missed a pull-up 3-pointer, resulting in an and-one putback. After making the free throw, the Mavs' lead grew to 110-89 just before the end of the third quarter. Gafford felt comfortable from the start, as if he was already a longstanding member of the team.
"Playing with guys like Luka and Kyrie and all the other guys that were on the floor, it just felt like I was already part of the mold," Gafford said. "Being on the opposite end, looking at these guys, when it comes to our pregame stuff and how to defend these guys and so on. Seeing what they get throughout the game, playing against us, it just feels like I already know. Coming into the team, being in the right spot at the right time, doing the right things, setting the right screens, and just getting guys downhill.”
Irving hit a tough 3-pointer after receiving a handoff out of a Zoom action, pushing the Mavs' lead to 122-94 early in the fourth quarter. Washington then drove a closeout and used a Veer step finish to put the Mavs up 30.
The Thunder called a timeout without an outlook to rally back. Irving continued Dallas' push, converting a tough floater to put the team up 35 with less than half the period left, prompting Oklahoma City to call another timeout. Dallas had already clinched a victory at this point before clearing its bench.
The Mavs will face Gafford's former team, the Washington Wizards, on Monday when they return to action at the American Airlines Center.
