Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder Praised By NBA Fans After Game 1 Win vs. Luka, Mavs
Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacek
Featured Columnist IVMay 8, 2024
The Oklahoma City Thunder still haven't lost in these playoffs.
The Western Conference's top seed defeated the Dallas Mavericks 117-95 in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series on Tuesday at Paycom Center. OKC's youth, talent and overall depth was on full display throughout the contest, especially as it put things away with a dominant fourth quarter.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 29 points, nine assists and nine rebounds, but it was a balanced effort with Chet Holmgren (19 points, seven rebounds and three blocks), Jalen Williams (18 points, five assists and five rebounds) and Aaron Wiggins (16 points) providing important support.
Luguentz Dort and Cason Wallace also impressed guarding Luka Dončić, who was limited to 6-of-19 shooting from the field.
NBA fans had nothing but good things to say about the entire winning performance:
The headliners in this series are clear with Gilgeous-Alexander and Dončić both MVP finalists, but it was far from a one-on-one show. OKC seized a nine-point halftime lead in part because Wiggins and Jaylin Williams provided a spark off the bench while Holmgren scored on the inside.
Throw in Gilgeous-Alexander consistently getting to the free-throw line, and it seemed like the Thunder were in control.
Yet a Dallas run was inevitable, and Kyrie Irving picked up the slack for Dončić in the third quarter by hitting from the outside, getting into transition and working his way into the lane. But even that momentum as the visitors cut the deficit to one was short-lived with the Thunder making everything difficult.
Holmgren protected the rim and Dort swarmed Dončić's ball-handling and got in the star's face on seemingly every shot. His steal on Dončić led to a dunk for Jalen Williams during a stretch that saw Isaiah Joe, Dort, Holmgren and Gilgeous-Alexander drill three-pointers as the lead expanded to double digits again going into the fourth.
It was then Jalen Williams' turn to take over in the fourth quarter, and he scored 10 consecutive points for the home team when the game was still somewhat hanging in the balance.
It was a fitting stretch because this Thunder team is so much more than just Gilgeous-Alexander's star power. Dallas had no chance with Dončić struggling with his shot, but OKC's supporting cast of Williams, Wiggins, Wallace and Dort were all critical in the win.
The Mavericks will have a better chance if Dončić plays at an MVP level in Thursday's Game 2, but the Thunder were clearly the better team from top to bottom in the opening battle.