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    Luka Dončić, Mavs Applauded by NBA Fans as SGA, Thunder Suffer 1st Loss of Playoffs

    Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIMay 10, 2024

    OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 9: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks goes to the basket during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round 2 Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2024 at Paycom Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
    Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images

    Luka Dončić and P.J. Washington each scored 29 points to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 119-110 road win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinals series, which is now tied at one game apiece.

    Dončić added 10 rebounds and seven assists despite dealing with a right knee sprain bad enough to land him on the injury report. Washington grabbed 11 boards and went 7-of-11 from three-point range (Dallas shot 18-of-37 from downtown overall).

    Tim Hardaway Jr. was the Mavs' unsung hero after scoring 10 unanswered points to turn a tight 80-79 lead into a more comfortable 90-79 edge. Hardaway finished with 17 points in 19 minutes.

    Despite Hardaway's scoring spurt, the Thunder fought back and cut the Mavs' lead to four in the fourth quarter. However, OKC could not get any closer.

    Mavs guard Kyrie Irving only scored nine points but excelled elsewhere with 11 assists, two blocks and two steals.

    Shai Gilgeous-Alexander posted 33 points (on 13-of-24 shooting), 12 rebounds and eight assists for the Thunder, who lost their first playoff game this season. Jalen Williams added 20 points.

    Luka Dončić, Mavs Applauded by NBA Fans as SGA, Thunder Suffer 1st Loss of Playoffs
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    This was an impressive bounceback performance from Dallas, which lost 117-95 in Game 1. Fans and analysts applauded Dončić and the Mavs after their efforts.

    Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater

    Thunder gave up 92, 92, 85, 89, 95 points their first five playoff games. Mavericks torched them for 119 tonight. They made 18 3s. Thirty assists. Only nine turnovers. Luka Doncic was great, P.J. Washington exploded, but plenty of OKC breakdowns. Series tied 1-1.

    Mavs Film Room 🐴🎥 @MavsFilmRoom

    You get no credit for playing hurt in the playoffs, but Luka is a tough motherf***** and I don't think it's been appreciated enough by his own fans

    NBA Memes @NBAMemes

    PJ Washington for absolutely no bleeping reason tonight: <a href="https://t.co/SEguEWCluD">pic.twitter.com/SEguEWCluD</a>

    Bobby Belt @BobbyBeltTX

    THJ and PJ Washington right now: <a href="https://t.co/O4ZhtVq8sQ">pic.twitter.com/O4ZhtVq8sQ</a>

    RingerNBA @ringernba

    Tim Hardaway Jr. treating the Thunder defense like Dion Waiters in 2014

    Draymond Green @Money23Green

    Tim Hardaway Jr 🤷🏿‍♂️🤷🏿‍♂️🤷🏿‍♂️

    Tim MacMahon @espn_macmahon

    Luka Doncic (29-10-7) had the kind of performance that's expected of him. <br><br>P.J. Washington (29-11-4) had the kind of performance that can swing a series. <br><br>Mavs get on the board. Series even headed to Dallas for Game 3.

    Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba

    Great, incredibly resilient performance by Dallas……the mavericks showed a ton of toughness

    Josh Bowe @Boweman55

    the mavericks defense continually does this thing where they decide the other team just isn't scoring for four minutes. they had at least three of those stretches tonight. and when I meant "isn't scoring" I'm being literal. Like zero or one field goal allowed in those stretches.

    Joel Moran @joelvmoran

    When you're playing against a team that's game plan is to leave you wide open you better take that personally. <br><br>Mavericks role players responded: <br><br>PJ - 29 PTS / 11 REB / 7 3PM's<br>THJ - 17 PTS / 2 3PM's<br>Green - 11 PTS / 3 3PM's <br><br>Shot 48.6% from 3 as a team.

    MFFL NATION @NationMffl

    I hope no one judges Kyrie Irving tonight by the box score.<br><br>His facilitating tonight and on-ball defense was beyond impressive and was a huge factor in tonight's win for the Mavs.<br><br>- 9 PTS<br>- 11 AST<br>- 2 STL<br>- 2 BLK <a href="https://t.co/HQeTTkUdxI">pic.twitter.com/HQeTTkUdxI</a>

    Autumn @autumnaticdub

    Luka every two minutes <a href="https://t.co/Ffh8WDT0E8">pic.twitter.com/Ffh8WDT0E8</a>

    Mavs Film Room 🐴🎥 @MavsFilmRoom

    Gritty, gritty, road win by the Mavs to even the series. <br><br>A hobbled Luka Dončić is still better than your favorite player. PJ Washington has been everything and more for the Mavs in these playoffs. <br><br>Best of 5 series heading back to Dallas. <a href="https://t.co/IORPmUA2a7">pic.twitter.com/IORPmUA2a7</a>

    Game 3 of the best-of-seven matchup will take place in Dallas on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET.