Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Thunder overpower Mavs opener

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads OKC Thunder to victory over Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 with 29 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists.

In a thrilling Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinal series, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put on a show for the Oklahoma City Thunder, recording an impressive stat line of 29 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. This performance led the Thunder to a convincing 117-95 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

Despite shooting 8 of 19 from the field, Gilgeous-Alexander was lights out from the free-throw line, going 11 of 13 in his first career second-round playoff game. This stellar performance made the Thunder the youngest team in NBA history to win a conference semifinal game.

Kyrie Irving contributed 19 points for Dallas, while Luka Doncic finished with 19 points and nine assists. The Mavericks made a strong push in the third quarter, cutting a 12-point Thunder lead to just one point after a 3-pointer by Irving assisted by Doncic.

However, Oklahoma City responded with a dominant performance, outscoring Dallas 51-30 for the remainder of the game. Gilgeous-Alexander played a pivotal role in this run, assisting on key 3-pointers and sinking a crucial shot from beyond the arc that ignited the home crowd.

Before the game, Doncic praised Luguentz Dort as one of the top perimeter defenders in the NBA. Dort showcased his defensive prowess by disrupting Doncic's rhythm and helping limit him to 6-of-19 shooting from the field.

Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, and Aaron Wiggins also made significant contributions for the Thunder, combining for 53 points. The Thunder capitalized on Dallas' turnovers, scoring 22 points off 16 turnovers.

Despite shooting struggles for the Mavericks, the Thunder's efficient offense and stifling defense secured a commanding victory in Game 1. With a well-rounded performance and contributions from multiple players, the Thunder set the tone for the series and demonstrated their potential for a deep playoff run.

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