Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals between the Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder was a battle of wills. Luka Doncic, despite dealing with a balky right knee and an achy left ankle, showed incredible determination as he fell hard on his back while fighting for a loose ball with Lu Dort, his primary defender. Not only did Doncic win the ensuing jump ball, but he also tracked down the loose ball that followed, securing a crucial possession for the Mavericks. Doncic, who scored 22 points, revealed after the game that he was battling through multiple injuries, stating, “Everything hurts. I’m just battling out there.”
Doncic’s resilience was mirrored by other players on both teams. Kyrie Irving, who had a rough outing in Game 2, bounced back with 14 points in the second half, including a crucial running left-handed shot in the lane that helped seal the victory for the Mavericks. P.J. Washington Jr. also had an impressive performance with 27 points, coming just two points shy of his playoff high from Game 2.
Although Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put up an impressive stat line for the Thunder with 31 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks, he was called for a charge with Doncic defending on a late drive, thwarting Oklahoma City’s comeback hopes. Additionally, the Thunder struggled on the offensive glass, getting outrebounded 16-5 by the scrappy Mavericks and giving up a significant advantage in second-chance points.
Despite their consecutive losses after starting the playoffs with a 5-0 record, the Thunder remain determined to compete. Chet Holmgren emphasized the competitiveness of the series, stating, “Both teams really want it. If you take the result out of it, it’s everything that you want to be going through in a basketball game.”
Irving’s improved performance was crucial for the Mavericks, as he not only provided scoring but also had seven assists to lead the team. He acknowledged the need for better play earlier in the game, stating, “One of my coaches just came up to me and said I waited too long, so obviously I’ve got to be better on my end.” Irving’s offensive contributions, combined with Washington’s consistent scoring, proved to be a winning formula for Dallas.
The game was not without its share of injuries. Mavericks center Daniel Gafford, who had previously dealt with a dislocated pinkie finger in Game 2, suffered a left shoulder injury in a collision with Josh Giddey. Although Gafford returned to the court for the second half, he was limited in minutes and finished with eight points. Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams also suffered a left ankle injury but returned to the game early in the fourth quarter.
In the end, it was the Mavericks who emerged victorious with a 105-101 win, taking a 2-1 lead in the series. Game 4 is slated for Monday night in Dallas. The Thunder will need to find a way to contain Doncic and Washington’s scoring if they hope to bounce back and even the series.
