The Oklahoma City Thunder surged to a commanding 117-95 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of the NBA Western Conference semifinals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Tuesday. Leading the series 1-0, the Thunder showcased their young talent and dominated the court.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA), the Thunder’s rising star and an NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) finalist this season, delivered an impressive performance with 29 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. He was aggressive offensively, earning 13 trips to the free-throw line—more than any other player in the game. SGA contributed 10 and 11 points in the second and third quarters, respectively, periods during which the Thunder outscored the Mavericks 66-56.
The other members of Oklahoma City’s promising trio, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, combined for 37 points. Williams was perfect in the fourth quarter, making all four of his field goal attempts to add 10 points. Holmgren made his presence felt defensively with three blocks. The Thunder’s bench was equally impactful, contributing 42 points and outscoring the Mavericks’ reserves by 19 points.
With a blend of youthful energy and strategic play, the Thunder have set a strong tone for the series. The Mavericks will need to regroup quickly as they look to even the series in Game 2.
Reference(s):
NBA highlights on May 7: OKC dominate Mavs in Western semifinals G1
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