Thunder: 1 stud, 5 duds from crucial loss in Game 5 vs Mavericks

The OKC Thunder revealed a lack of offensive firepower, dropping their pivotal Game 5 against the Dallas Mavericks, 92-104, to go down 3-2 in the Western Conference Semifinals.

The Thunder's offense looked far from what it usually displays as the team relied heavily on its franchise superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for most of the way. 

When SGA was not on the floor, the offense stagnated. The baskets came few and far between for most of the game, allowing the Mavericks to build a sizeable lead in which they never relented. 

While shooting variance is a factor (the Thunder shot 25 percent from beyond the three-point line), Oklahoma City struggled to score against the Mavericks' defense, which was predicated on keeping their center to the paint at all costs. 

Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II were huge factors to nullify the Thunder's drives, holding down the quality of shots throughout the game.

Facing that kind of defense, the west's top seeds dug down but fell short of keeping up with the Mavericks' scoring. 

However, head coach Mark Daigneualt remained optimistic throughout the game, despite the loss. 

"I thought we were kind of there tonight and maybe missed a couple plays."

- Mark Daigneualt

The Thunder may need to even dig deeper for the rest of the series as their backs are now against the wall. 

Here are the stud and duds of Game 5.