In a thrilling Game 3 at the American Airlines Center, Dallas Mavericks’ star Luka Doncic battled through a sprained right knee and a sore left ankle to help secure a crucial 105-101 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite his ailments, Doncic’s resilience was evident as he landed flat on his back while fighting for a loose ball with Oklahoma City’s Luguentz Dort, causing a moment of collective breath-holding among the Mavs’ faithful.
“Everything,” Luka Doncic responded when asked what hurt after the game. Yet, the victory, which gave Dallas a series lead, served as a balm for his physical pain.
The Unsung Heroics of Luka Doncic
Although Luka Doncic had an off night shooting, managing 22 points on 7-of-17 shooting, his impact was felt across the board. He grabbed 15 rebounds, showcasing his determination to dominate the glass and contribute to the less glamorous facets of the game. His performance exemplified the grit and tenacity required in playoff basketball.
Luka Doncic highlights vs OKC pic.twitter.com/jru46wdUYl
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Kyrie Irving’s Clutch Performance
With the game on the line, Luka Doncic had the luxury of deferring to his co-star Kyrie Irving. Irving, who matched Doncic’s scoring with 22 points, delivered when it mattered most, scoring eight of his points in the fourth quarter. His pivotal moment came with 39 seconds remaining, driving past Thunder forward Jalen Williams and sinking a southpaw floater over center Chet Holmgren.
“He’s amazing,” Luka Doncic said of Irving. “He’s trying to facilitate for everybody too, so he’s doing it all on both ends on the floor. We appreciate having him.”
P.J. Washington’s Stellar Play Continues
Another standout performer for the Mavericks was forward P.J. Washington, who has been a revelation since his acquisition at the trade deadline. Washington led the team with 27 points on 11-of-23 shooting, including 5-of-12 from three-point range.
His back-to-back stellar performances have been a key factor in the Mavs’ success. “Credit to my teammates for finding me and putting me in great spots to be successful,” Washington said. “So for me, it’s just all fun and games. I’ve been waiting to get here my whole career, so I’m enjoying each and every second of it.”
Thunder’s Struggles Against Washington
Washington’s impact was not lost on the Thunder, particularly on Oklahoma City star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who acknowledged the challenge Washington posed.
“He’s hooping,” said Gilgeous-Alexander, who himself had an impressive game with 31 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and five blocks. “We’ve got to turn that water off if we want to win this series, for sure.”
Mavericks’ Dominance in the Paint
The Mavericks overpowered the undersized Thunder, outscoring them 52-38 in the paint despite the defensive efforts of Gilgeous-Alexander and Holmgren, who combined for nine blocks. Dallas also won the rebounding battle, 48-41, and had a 16-9 edge in second-chance points.
“Maybe in the past we weren’t, but this is a different team and this team is built to be physical,” Mavs coach Jason Kidd said, highlighting the impact of the February trades that brought Washington and center Daniel Gafford to Dallas. “If we have to pivot and be finesse, then we can do that, too.”
Navigating Doncic’s Shooting Slump
While Luka Doncic has struggled by his high standards during this playoff run, averaging 27.7 points in nine games compared to his league-leading 33.9 during the regular season, his teammates have stepped up.
His shooting percentages have dipped to 41.0% from the floor and 26.4% from three-point range, but the Mavericks remain just two wins away from their second Western Conference finals appearance in three years.
Building Trust and Chemistry
“We know he’s going to be who he is and attack, but for us, it’s just continuing to feed him that energy that he can trust who he’s around and he can trust that when the ball leaves his hands that other good things are going to happen,” said Irving, who was efficient with 10-of-17 shooting in the win, making all four of his shots in the fourth quarter.
“I feel like he’s figured that out to a certain degree. It’s up to us to continue to mold that greatness alongside him where it doesn’t matter if he scores a lot or not. Our team is going to win.”
Looking Ahead
As the Mavericks look forward to the next games, the combination of Luka Doncic’s resilience, Irving’s clutch performance, and Washington’s newfound confidence gives them a formidable edge.
This mix of physicality and finesse, coupled with the team’s growing chemistry, bodes well for their pursuit of another deep playoff run. Stay tuned as the Mavericks continue their quest for glory, with every game promising more drama and excitement.
