NBA Playoffs: Luka Dončić and Mavericks defeat Thunder in Game 2 to tie the series

Luka Dončić and the Dallas Mavericks are back.

The Mavericks, after an early series loss, cruised past the Oklahoma City Thunder 119-110 on Thursday night at the Paycom Center. The victory tied the series at 1-1 heading back to Dallas for Game 3 on Saturday night, and marked Oklahoma City’s first loss thus far in the playoffs.

Dončić nearly had a triple-double, while PJ Washington erupted for a career-high 29 points in the playoffs with seven 3-pointers to lead the Mavericks to victory. His 119 points were also by far the most the Thunder have allowed so far this postseason, after the Western Conference’s top seed cruised past the New Orleans Pelicans in the opening round.

Mavericks hold out until late to beat Thunder

Dončić and the Mavericks did well in the first quarter, and he went on triple-double watch almost immediately. Dončić scored 16 points and made four of the Mavericks’ eight 3-pointers in the opening period, putting them ahead instantly. He was also responsible for 24 of Dallas’ 36 points in the first quarter.

The Mavericks’ lead was cut to just four points late in the first quarter, however, after Thunder center Chet Holmgren hit a ridiculous buzzer-beater on an inbounds pass.

While the Mavericks nearly pulled away before halftime and took a quick 15-point lead, Oklahoma City went on a huge 15-4 run to cut the game to a single possession. Despite allowing 68 points from the Mavericks in the first half, the Thunder still entered the locker room down just five points at halftime.

Aaron Wiggins once again provided a great spark for the Thunder to start the second half. After starting the quarter in place of Josh Giddey, Wiggins led the Thunder on a 13-4 outburst to start the period and gave them their first lead of the game on a floater clutch in the lane.

That, though, was as big a lead as the Thunder got. The Mavericks, with Dončić on the bench, enjoyed a long 18-4 run that included 10 straight points from Tim Hardaway Jr.

Although the Thunder maintained control throughout the fourth quarter, Dallas kept them at bay the rest of the way. Dončić seemed to have an answer for everything, and the Thunder had a rough stretch, making just one of 11 field goal attempts down the stretch – allowing the Mavericks to keep pace and eventually cruise to a nine-point victory.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City with 33 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists in the loss. He was 13 of 24 from the field as well. Jalen Williams had 20 points and Holmgren finished with 11 points and six rebounds. The Thunder, who defeated the Pelicans in the first round, had not allowed more than 95 points in a postseason game until Thursday night.

Dončić led Dallas with 29 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. Washington had 11 rebounds and four assists to go along with his 29 points while shooting 7 of 11 from behind the arc. Hardaway added 17 points off the bench after shooting 6-of-9 from the field. Kyrie Irving had 11 assists and nine points, but shot just 2 of 8 from the field.

Although the Mavericks have health concerns – Dončić has been dealing with a leg injury and briefly sprained an ankle on Thursday, while Daniel Gafford played through a wrist injury – they managed to get a much-needed win on the road to start the series . If they want to reach their second Western Conference final in three years, that will be key before they return to Dallas.