Luka Doncic led the Dallas Mavericks to a 104-92 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals with a stellar performance of 31 points in a triple-double. Despite struggling in earlier games with injuries, Doncic stepped up and delivered when it mattered most. This win puts the No. 5-seeded Mavericks in a 3-2 lead in the series, with the opportunity to advance to the Western Conference finals with a win at home on Saturday. Derrick Jones Jr. and P.J. Washington Jr. also made significant contributions to the team’s success in Game 5.
On the other side, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stood out for the top-seeded Thunder with 30 points, but lacked support from his teammates as no other player scored more than 13 points. The Mavericks displayed a strong defensive effort, holding Oklahoma City to 42.5% shooting throughout the game. Dallas’ ability to win crucial games on the road has been a defining factor in their playoff journey, reminiscent of their first-round victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.
In an effort to boost their offense, Oklahoma City made lineup changes by starting Isaiah Joe instead of Josh Giddey for the first time in nearly 230 combined regular season and postseason games. Despite the adjustment, the Thunder found themselves trailing the Mavericks, who built a commanding 15-point lead in the second quarter and maintained their advantage at halftime with a score of 54-44. Jones’ scoring prowess was evident early on, contributing 15 points before the break.
Although Gilgeous-Alexander’s 14-point outburst in the third quarter brought the Thunder closer, Dallas remained in control with a 79-67 lead heading into the final period. The Mavericks extended their lead to 18 points in the fourth quarter before facing a late surge from Oklahoma City. A key 3-pointer by Gilgeous-Alexander cut the deficit to 89-79, prompting a timeout from Dallas. However, the Thunder were unable to mount a comeback, with the Mavericks maintaining a comfortable lead to secure the victory.
With their victory in Game 5, the Mavericks demonstrated resilience and determination in overcoming challenges to seize control of the series. Doncic’s standout performance, supported by strong contributions from his teammates, showcased Dallas’ collective effort in pursuit of a spot in the Western Conference finals. As they prepare to face the Thunder once more in Game 6, the Mavericks will look to carry forward the momentum from this crucial win and close out the series with another strong performance on their home court.
