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NBA

    Luka Dončić, Mavs Eliminate SGA, Thunder as NBA Fans Laud Comeback G6 Win, WCF Berth

    Andrew PetersMay 19, 2024

    DALLAS, TX - MAY 18: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks dribbles the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round 2 Game 6 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 18, 2024 at the American Airlines Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Cooper Neill/NBAE via Getty Images)
    Cooper Neill/NBAE via Getty Images

    The Dallas Mavericks are moving on to the Western Conference Finals after beating the Oklahoma City Thunder 117-116 in Game 6 on Saturday.

    The Mavericks used a 29-point night from Luka Dončić and a clutch performance from Kyrie Irving to advance. Irving had a slow start to the game but had a big second half to finish with 22 points.

    While Dončić and Irving led the way, it was P.J. Washington who played the hero, hitting a pair of go-ahead free throws with just over two seconds to play. Washington had just nine points, but his two at the end were the most important of the night.

    After the win, fans praised Dallas for taking care of business in the elimination game:

    StatMuse @statmuse

    Luka in the WCF:<br><br>32.0 PPG<br>9.2 RPG<br>6.0 APG<br><br>He's back. <a href="https://t.co/DP2S71iNSG">https://t.co/DP2S71iNSG</a>

    Jeff Goodman @GoodmanHoops

    Is there a bigger whiner in all of pro sports right now than Luka? <br><br>Serious question.

    Luka Dončić, Mavs Eliminate SGA, Thunder as NBA Fans Laud Comeback G6 Win, WCF Berth
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    Kevin O'Connor @KevinOConnorNBA

    PJ WASHINGTON!! Scoreless into the 4th and still clutch

    Bleacher Report @BleacherReport

    MAVS ELIMINATE THUNDER AND ADVANCE TO THE CONF. FINALS 🔥📱 <a href="https://t.co/lkocB8G63t">pic.twitter.com/lkocB8G63t</a>

    MFFL @Mavs_FFL

    MAVS ADVANCE!!! LET'S GOOO <a href="https://t.co/ShzgZElV7v">pic.twitter.com/ShzgZElV7v</a>

    MavsMuse @MavsMuse

    Dereck Lively II tonight<br><br>12 PTS<br>15 REB (playoff career high)<br>3 AST (ties playoff career high)<br>5/6 FG<br>+ 26 (team high)<br><br>— WCF AS A ROOKIE 🔥🔥🔥 <a href="https://t.co/S3U0MN7euR">pic.twitter.com/S3U0MN7euR</a>

    StatMuse @statmuse

    Mavs last three seasons:<br><br>— Western Conference Finals<br>— Missed the Playoffs<br>— Western Conference Finals <br><br>The only team to make multiple WCF over the last three seasons. <a href="https://t.co/7ek4lwY9BK">pic.twitter.com/7ek4lwY9BK</a>

    StatMuse @statmuse

    Kyrie tonight:<br><br>First half — Second half —<br>4 PTS 18 PTS<br>0 AST 3 AST<br><br>His first Conference Finals since 2017. <a href="https://t.co/4MKDUQw96n">pic.twitter.com/4MKDUQw96n</a>

    Underdog NBA @Underdog__NBA

    Kyrie Irving improves to a perfect 14-0 in closeout games. The best record in NBA history.

    MFFL NATION @NationMffl

    PJ WASHINGTON STOOD ON BIDNESS <a href="https://t.co/xfkLF3jkgu">pic.twitter.com/xfkLF3jkgu</a>

    Trill Withers @TylerIAm

    PJ washington sends his team to the conference finals. We here

    Now Dallas awaits the winner of the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves, who face off in a Game 7 on Sunday. The Mavericks are back in the conference finals just a year after missing the postseason entirely, and they seem to have all the makings of a championship team.

    The Thunder have a long offseason ahead of them, but it's clear the young Oklahoma City team is going to be a contender for years to come. On Saturday, the Thunder just didn't have enough to get past Dončić and Irving.