Thunder’s Dominance Unleashed
In the second round of the playoffs, the Western Conference-leading Thunder faced off against the 5th seed Mavericks. The Thunder displayed overwhelming dominance in the series opener, with the “New Thunder Emperor” Shai Gilgeous-Alexander nearly securing a triple-double with 29 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists. Coupled with the team’s impressive 45.7% three-point shooting, they seized a commanding 117-95 victory, extending their playoff winning streak to 5 games.
Wiggins Steps Up as X-Factor
The first quarter saw a tightly contested battle, but in the second quarter, Aaron Wiggins emerged as the unexpected hero, scoring 10 consecutive points to help the Thunder rally and gradually pull away, ending the first half with a 9-point lead. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was on fire from the start, racking up 19 points in the first half alone, putting immense defensive pressure on the Mavericks’ backcourt.
Mavericks’ Effort Falls Short
Despite the Mavericks finding their rhythm in the third quarter and trimming the deficit to just 1 point at one stage, the Thunder quickly regained their composure, responding with an 8-2 run. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who had struggled with his three-point shot in the previous round, knocked down consecutive threes to extend the lead to 11 points.
Thunder’s Fourth Quarter Surge
In the final quarter, Jalen Williams took charge for the Thunder, scoring 10 points on 4 consecutive shots, including powerful dunks and a three-pointer. With contributions from Wiggins and Wallace, the Thunder extended their lead to over 20 points with 5 minutes remaining, effectively sealing the victory.
Mavericks Surrender as Thunder Soars
Facing an insurmountable deficit, the Mavericks conceded defeat by substituting out their stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, and the game entered garbage time. The Thunder secured their first win of the series with a convincing 22-point margin.
Alexander’s Stellar Performance
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who recently became a father during the first round, led the Thunder with an impressive 29 points on 8-of-19 shooting, along with 9 assists and 9 rebounds, outshining the Mavericks’ MVP candidates. Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams contributed 19 and 18 points respectively, living up to the hype of the “New Thunder Trio.”
Mavericks Struggle Despite Star Duo
In defeat, Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks with 20 points, followed by Luka Doncic with 19 points. However, the duo committed as many turnovers as the entire Thunder team, totaling 9, highlighting their struggles throughout the game. (Lvbet)
