Shai Gilgeous-Alexander matches career high 42 points in Dallas

The Oklahoma City Thunder fell to the Dallas Mavericks, 121-114 on Monday night in Dallas as the OKC Thunder wrapped up a five-game road trip that was played over the span of 11 days and across four different time zones with only a one-day pit stop in Oklahoma City along the way. The Thunder gets to look forward to a seven-game home stand now but before returning to Bricktown, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander matched his career-high in scoring.

The OKC Thunder started this game on the wrong end of a 12-0 run, despite that the team rallied to win the first quarter, 28-23. Though, the second quarter doomed the Thunder as the Mavericks took the frame 43-24. The Thunder took care of business with their typical third-quarter run winning that frame by seven, but the two teams tied in the fourth quarter prompting a Mavs win in Dallas.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander looks like a star with 42 points scored, matching a career-high in scoring in the OKC Thunder loss against Dallas

The Oklahoma City Thunder had to lean on their max contract point guard to lead the way as he led all scorers with 42 points, going 13-for-13 from the free-throw line and shooting 61 percent from the floor. Along with the scoring, Gilgeous-Alexander swiped three steals, dished out three assists, and hauled down two rebounds.

Isaiah Joe was once again a huge factor for the Oklahoma City offense blitzing in four triples while scoring 12 points, hauling in seven rebounds, and dishing out an assist. When Joe is on the floor the offense just opens up thanks to his shooting ability, which gives OKC a clear path to shoot for in future roster construction. Continue to add more shooting.

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl did leave this game with a leg injury that did not look good on television, but I am not a doctor and did not stay at a Holiday Inn last night, so we will wait for the team to update us on that front.

It was fun to watch Shai Gilgeous-Alexander battle Luka Doncic who scored 38 points and pulled down 11 rebounds with eight assists of his own while shooting 48 percent from the floor.

Rookie Jalen Williams continued to impress with 17 points, scoring at all three levels while shooting 61 percent from the floor, grabbing two rebounds, and dishing out four assists. Williams even swatted a shot and drew a charge on the defensive end of the floor.

Now, the Oklahoma City Thunder return home with a matchup against the Miami Heat on Wednesday inside the Paycom Center at 7 p.m.