Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the visiting Dallas Mavericks 126-119 on Thursday.
The Mavericks were without superstar Luka Doncic, who experienced left hamstring soreness in Dallas’ win over Golden State on Wednesday. Dallas (38-29) had its four-game winning streak end.
While the Mavericks were without their top scorer, the Thunder (46-20) got one of theirs back.
Jalen Williams returned after missing Dallas’ Tuesday loss to the Indiana Pacers with an ankle sprain. Williams finished with 27 points, including an emphatic dunk in the final minute that put the game away.
Twice early in the fourth quarter, the Mavericks cut what had been an 11-point Thunder lead late in the third quarter down to three. Both times, Williams responded with a quick bucket to help Oklahoma City stay in front.
Two nights after going just 12 of 27 from the floor, Gilgeous-Alexander was much more efficient against the Mavericks. He went 9 of 16 from the floor, 12 of 15 from the free-throw line and added nine rebounds and five assists.
Oklahoma City shot 52.3 percent from the floor, while Dallas finished at 51.2 percent.
Without Doncic, the Mavericks had to rely on Kyrie Irving for much of their offense, and he nearly lifted them to a win. Irving had 36 points and 12 assists while committing four turnovers.
It didn’t take long for Daniel Gafford’s streak of consecutive field goals to come to an end.
In the opening minute of the game, the Dallas center grabbed an offensive rebound and went up for the putback, missing to snap his streak of consecutive made shots at 33. Gafford finished two shy of Wilt Chamberlain’s NBA record.
Already short-handed without Doncic, the Mavericks sustained another loss early.
In the first quarter, as Dallas’ Maxi Kleber brought the ball upcourt after a rebound, Josh Green crumpled to the ground, writhing in pain after stepping on teammate Dereck Lively II’s foot.
Green was diagnosed with a right ankle sprain, and he did not return.
Tim Hardaway Jr. added 23 points off the bench for Dallas, while Gafford finished with 19 points (on 8-of-11 shooting) and 15 rebounds.
The Mavericks are now 3-6 without Doncic.
–Field Level Media