The Oklahoma City Thunder climbed all the way back from a double-digit deficit to stun the Dallas Mavericks 117-111 in overtime. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the game with 38 points and Isaiah Joe provided an electric shooting spark off the bench for OKC.
The Oklahoma City Thunder comeback to shock the Mavericks in Dallas behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s spectacular performance.
After starting off the season 0-3, the Thunder are now on a three-game win streak, with a big thanks to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. SGA has now tallied 30 points in three of his five games so far this season. Gilgeous-Alexander headed into halftime shooting just 4-of-12 from the field. After the break, he converted in 11 of his next 15 shots. A spectacular comeback performance for the franchise star. While sharing a floor with Luka Doncic, it was clear that SGA was the best player in this game.
Jalen Williams played in his first game since suffering a right orbital bone fracture against the Timberwolves. Williams scored 13 points off the bench and had four huge steals for the Thunder. So far this season, OKC has been very good on the defensive side of the floor, and it’s the plays that Williams and Lu Dort make that put them over the edge.
Dort dropped 16 points on 6-of-12 shooting, but he was incredible on the defensive end. Most players who are tasked with Luka Doncic are going to have a rough night, but not Dort. People may look at the box score and see 31 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists and say Doncic dominated, but Dort shines against him defensively. Doncic only shot 8-of-23 from the field and 0-for-6 from three. However, Doncic shot 19 free throws with the help of some questionable foul calls.
Isaiah Joe was the true hero for Oklahoma City tonight. Before tonight’s game, Joe only saw seven minutes of action for the Thunder. However, with about five minutes left in the fourth, Joe subbed in and provided a much-needed spark off the bench for OKC.
Down 16 points in the fourth quarter, Mark Daigneault opted to play the newest Thunder acquisition. Isaiah Joe immediately came in and made big shots, including the night’s biggest shot. As time winded down in the fourth quarter, Joe knocked down the game-tying three that sent the game into overtime.
In overtime, Joe hit another two threes to seal the deal for the Thunder, walking away with a .500 record. The Mavericks are easily a playoff team and OKC just beat them with Josh Giddey still sidelined with an ankle injury, proving that the Thunder can be competitive against any team they face on any given night.
The Thunder’s next game will be at home on Tuesday night where they will host No. 1 overall pick Paolo Ranchero and the Orlando Magic.