Luka Dončić, Mavs Take Series Lead vs. SGA, Thunder, Excite NBA Fans in Game 3 Win

Jack MurrayMay 11, 2024

DALLAS, TEXAS - MAY 11: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts during the first quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Three of the Western Conference Second Round Playoffs at American Airlines Center on May 11, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images)

Tim Heitman/Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks officially have the Oklahoma City Thunder on upset watch.

After stealing a victory on the road in Game 2, Dallas ran with the momentum and took a 105-101 victory to earn a 2-1 series lead over the top-seeded Thunder in the Western Conference semi-finals.

ESPN @espn
THE MAVERICKS TAKE GAME 3 BEHIND A BIG PERFORMANCE FROM P.J. WASHINGTON 👏 <a href="https://t.co/iGYtyLx4M8">pic.twitter.com/iGYtyLx4M8</a>

Dallas Mavericks @dallasmavs
Took care of business. MAVS WIN!!!<a href="https://twitter.com/Chime?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Chime</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OneForDallas?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OneForDallas</a> <a href="https://t.co/gBuJki9jTo">pic.twitter.com/gBuJki9jTo</a>

It was a tightly contested matchup, with Oklahoma City taking a one-point halftime lead. Dallas would build a four-point lead after the third quarter and maintained in the final frame, leading to the big win.

P.J. Washington led the way for Dallas on the scoresheet with 27 points. Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving were next with 22 points each and Dereck Lively II had 12 points and eight rebounds off of the bench.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City with 31 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Jalen Williams had 16 points, Chet Holmgren had 13 and Isaiah Joe had 13 off the bench.

Dončić's 22-point performance was joined by 15 rebounds, securing the double-double. He also had five rebounds and two steals, while shooting 7-of-17 on field goals and 7-of-10 from the free throw line.

Dallas Mavericks @dallasmavs
Luka ⬆️ Gafford ⬇️ <a href="https://t.co/hPpwC8rW1o">pic.twitter.com/hPpwC8rW1o</a>

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Fans praised Dončić's performance and declared that Dallas is a scary team going forward:

𝐇𝐨𝐨𝐩 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐲 @HoopDiary
Luka Doncic & P.J Washington in Game 3; 22 Points 15 Rebounds 5 Assists 2 Steals 27 Points 6 Rebounds 2 Assists 11/23 FG 5 3PM <a href="https://t.co/S15knsy6oe">pic.twitter.com/S15knsy6oe</a>

Lee Harvey @MusikFan4Life
Luka Doncic : 22 points (7-17 shooting, 1-4 from 3 & 7-10 from the FT line), 15 rebounds, 5 assists & 2 steals in 40 minutes <a href="https://t.co/UUQUWJUL0g">pic.twitter.com/UUQUWJUL0g</a>

hooperlaws_ @hooperlaws__
My favorite part about Luka is that the casual fan would write him off as a flopper/soft/etc but in all reality he's 6'7" 240 pounds - the more PHYSICAL the game, the more it plays in 77's favor

🏀Sportfan Numma Juan🏈 aka Zerxes Goblin-King👹👑 @Horrid_Bear
Luka, please go Luk-lear and protect home court then win game 5 back there so you don't have to see extra games of elbows and trips.

GoldenKnight @GoldenKnightGFX
Luka & Kyrie are 2 wins away from being in the WCF.

mich 🇵🇭 | 💙 (4-2) ➡️ (2-1) @MavsPH
This ain't even Mavs best form and they're gutting out wins, imagine If Luka wasn't injured

Jack Dent @JackDentsTweets
Mavericks tough to beat in a close game because they have 2 of the 5 best closers in today's NBA in Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving…<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mavs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mavs</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DallasMavericks?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DallasMavericks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAPlayoffs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAPlayoffs</a>

Dallas technically do not need to win another game on the road, as it has two guaranteed home games remaining unless it ends the series before that point. Winning in Game 4 would be crucial in the team's quest to move forward, and would give it three chances to get it done.

Game 4 is set to tip-off Monday at 9:30 P.M. ET.