Thunder Storm Mavericks in Game One
The NBA playoffs are getting exciting! Whether you are an Oklahoma City Thunder fan or not I think we can all agree that it is cool to see them not only back in the playoffs but succeeding in the playoffs. The Thunder made the playoffs for the first time this season since 2020 and when they beat the Pelicans 4-0 last Monday, that win marked their first playoff series win since Kevin Durant was still on the team nearly eight years ago. If you are not a Thunder fan maybe you are a Dallas Mavericks fan. They too are another team that we have not seen have a ton of playoff success as of late when we think about the fact that this season, when they recently beat the Clippers 4-2, is only their second time making it out of the first round of the playoffs since they were crowed 2011 NBA Champions. With Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic now in town, we have to imagine that is subject to change. Let’s take a look at how the Thunder won Game One!
From the opening tip-off, the Thunder came out with a sense of purpose, quickly establishing their dominance on both ends of the floor. Led by the dynamic duo of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren who finished with 29 and 19 points respectively, Oklahoma City surged ahead with an impressive offensive display, knocking down shots with precision and efficiency. The Mavericks, on the other hand, struggled to find their rhythm early on, facing relentless defensive pressure from the Thunder’s lineup. As the game progressed the Thunder continued to showcase their depth, with contributions coming from both starters and bench players as Jalen Williams and Aaron Wiggins combined for 34 points. The gritty defense of Lugentz Dort, the rim protection of Holmgren, and the playmaking ability of Gilgeous-Alexander were three things that did not go unnoticed in this game as they helped lead the Thunder to victory.
Despite facing a heavy deficit, the Mavericks refused to back down, mounting a spirited comeback effort in the second half. Led by the scoring ability of Irving, Doncic, and Daniel Gafford who had 20, 19, and 16 points in this game respectively, Dallas fought tooth and nail to chip away at the Thunder’s lead. However, Oklahoma City remained poised and composed, weathering the Mavericks' chance at a comeback with clutch baskets and timely defensive stops. In the final minutes of the game, the Thunder’s resilience and determination ultimately proved to be the difference maker as they held on to win this one 117-95. Both these teams will play again in Oklahoma City for Game Two on Thursday at 9:30 PM EST. Can the Thunder reach their first Western Conference Finals since 2016 or will the Mavericks come back and win this series?
