NBA roundup: Dallas down Thunder to reach Western Conference finals

Luka Doncic recorded a triple-double, and P.J. Washington hit the decisive free throws as the Dallas Mavericks overcame a 17-point deficit to defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder 117-116, securing a spot in the NBA Western Conference finals on Saturday.

The Mavericks triumphed over the top-seeded Thunder 4-2 in their best-of-seven conference semi-final series, advancing to the conference finals for the second time in three years.

Dallas will face either the defending champion Denver Nuggets or the Minnesota Timberwolves, who have a deciding Game Seven in their series on Sunday.

“Being down 17 in a closeout game isn’t a position you want to be in,” said Dallas star Kyrie Irving. “We had to respond the way we’ve responded all season, just playing hard-nosed basketball on the defensive end, getting out in transition, and just trusting that our pace would get us back in the game.

“It definitely feels good to get the series done.”

Doncic scored 29 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and dished out 10 assists. Irving and Derrick Jones Jr. each added 22 points, while Dereck Lively contributed 12 off the bench for the Mavericks.

Washington scored all nine of his points in the fourth quarter, including two free throws with 2.5 seconds remaining that lifted the Mavericks to victory.

“I think he was just waiting for his moment,” Irving said.

The decisive moment came after a controversial call in the final seconds with the Mavericks down 116-115. Doncic drove into the lane and passed to Washington in the corner, who was fouled on his three-point attempt by Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Oklahoma City challenged the call, but it stood. Washington made the first two free throws before intentionally missing the third. The Thunder secured the rebound but failed to score from beyond half-court.

“If I had the moment back, I wouldn’t have fouled him, let him make or miss the shot,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Basketball – you win some, you lose some. You make mistakes.”

Gilgeous-Alexander, like Doncic, a finalist for the Most Valuable Player award won by Denver’s Nikola Jokic, scored 36 points to lead the Thunder. Oklahoma City led by 16 at halftime and extended the advantage to 17 early in the third before the Mavericks rallied in front of a frenzied home crowd.

A three-pointer by Washington tied the game at 105-105 with 4:11 remaining, and the lead changed hands three times after that. Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren’s dunk put Oklahoma City up 116-115 with 20.4 seconds left.

Facing elimination, the Thunder started strong and led by seven after the first quarter.

Doncic gave the Mavericks their first lead with less than five minutes left in the second quarter.

The Thunder responded with back-to-back dunks from Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, restoring their lead. Oklahoma City finished the second quarter on a 24-6 run to lead 64-48 at halftime.

With Doncic and Irving leading the charge, the Mavericks clawed back in the third quarter, outscoring the Thunder 35-26 in the period.

“The whole team is amazing,” Doncic said. “Amazing comeback, amazing effort. This team is special.”

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault praised his young team, which has an average starting age of 23 and matched the Nuggets for the best record in the West. They also swept the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round of the playoffs.

“I’ve said all year this has been a total pleasure,” he said. “It’s really sad for that to finish.”