After defeating the Thunder, the Mavericks will face either Denver or Minnesota in the Western Conference finals.
Luka Doncic recorded a triple-double, PJ Washington hit a crucial free throw, and the Dallas Mavericks erased a 17-point deficit to beat Oklahoma City 117-116 and advance to the NBA Western Conference Finals.
The Mavericks defeated the top-seeded Thunder 4-2 on Saturday in a best-of-seven conference semifinal series, advancing to the conference finals for the second time in three years.
They will face either the defending champion Denver Nuggets or the Minnesota Timberwolves, who play Game 7 of the series on Sunday.
“Being down 17 points in a close game is not a position you want to be in,” Dallas star Kyrie Irving said. “We had to respond the same way we have all season, just playing tough basketball on the defensive end and believing we could get out in transition and get back into the game at our own pace.
“It definitely feels good to get through the series.”
Doncic had 29 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Irving and Derrick Jones Jr. each scored 22 points for the Mavs, and Derek Lively added 12 points off the bench.
Washington scored all nine of his points in the fourth quarter, including two free throws with 2.5 seconds left to give the Mavs the victory.
“I think he was just waiting for his chance,” Irving said.
It happened after a controversial call in the final minutes of a game the Mavs were losing 116-115. Doncic drove into the lane and passed to Washington in the corner. However, Washington was fouled on a 3-point shot by Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Oklahoma City appealed the decision, but was resisted. Washington made the first two free throws, then intentionally missed the third, and the Thunder got the rebound but couldn't get the shot past halfcourt.
“If I had that moment back, I wouldn't have made him foul or make him take or miss the shot,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “[In] Basketball – Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. you make mistakes. ”
Like Doncic, a finalist for the Most Valuable Player award won by Denver's Nikola Jokic, Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 36 points, leading by 16 at halftime and early in the third. The Mavericks extended their advantage to 17 points before going on a rampage. He was back in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.
Washington tied the score at 105-105 on a 3-pointer with 4:11 left, and from there they took the lead three times before a dunk by Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren put Oklahoma City up 116-115 with 20.4 seconds left. took the lead.
Facing elimination, the Thunder bounced back and led by seven points after one quarter.
With less than five minutes left in the second quarter, Doncic gave the Mavs their first lead of the game.
The Thunder regained the lead with back-to-back dunks by Chet Holmgren and Jaylen Williams and rallied. Oklahoma City ended the second quarter on a 24-6 run and led 64-48 at halftime.
With Doncic and Irving leading the way, the Mavs fought back in the third inning and defeated the Thunder 35-26 in the period.
“The whole team is great,” Doncic said. “Great comeback, great effort. This team is special.”
Thunder manager Mark Daigneault praised his young team. Oklahoma City's starting five have an average age of 23, but they are tied with the Nuggets for the best record in the West Division and defeated the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round of the playoffs.
“I've been saying all year long that this is something I'm really happy about,” he said. “I’m really sad to see it end.”
