P.J. Washington Jr.’s clutch free throws sealed a dramatic 117-116 win for the Dallas Mavericks against the Oklahoma City Thunder, propelling them into the Western Conference finals for the second time in three seasons.
Luka Doncic’s stellar performance, boasting 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists for his fourth triple-double of the postseason, anchored the Mavericks’ victory.
Chet Holmgren’s dunk, assisted by star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, briefly gave the Thunder a one-point lead with 20 seconds remaining. However, a foul by Gilgeous-Alexander on Washington’s 3-point attempt turned the tide in Dallas’ favor.
Washington’s intentional miss, following two successful free throws, secured the win for the Mavericks as time expired, with Jalen Williams’ long-range attempt falling short for the Thunder.
Dallas overcame a 17-point deficit in the third quarter to clinch the series at home, replicating their first-round performance against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Kyrie Irving, maintaining his undefeated record in closeout games at 14-0, emphasized the team’s resilience in responding to adversity.
The Mavericks will face the winner of the Denver-Minnesota series in the Western Conference finals, aiming to improve upon their 2022 campaign where they fell to eventual champions, the Golden State Warriors.
The thrilling Game 6 featured a captivating fourth quarter with multiple lead changes, highlighting the competitive spirit of both teams.
Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 36 points, supported by impressive performances from Jalen Williams and Holmgren.
Irving and Derrick Jones Jr. contributed 22 points each for Dallas, with Washington stepping up in the fourth quarter after a quiet start.
The addition of Washington and Daniel Gafford, coupled with the emergence of rookie Dereck Lively II, played pivotal roles in bolstering Dallas’ roster mid-season.
Despite Oklahoma City’s strong regular-season performance, including securing the top seed in the West, they faltered in the playoffs, losing four out of five games following a 5-0 start.
Mark Daigneault’s playoff debut as head coach marked a significant milestone for the Thunder, who have shown considerable improvement since finishing with fewer than 25 victories in consecutive seasons prior.
The Thunder’s promising young core, led by Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams, and Holmgren, signifies a bright future for the franchise despite their postseason exit.
