The top-seeded OKC Thunder will host the fifth-seeded Dallas Mavericks in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals Thursday at 8:30 p.m.
OKC holds a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. In Game 1 on Tuesday, they defeated Dallas 117-95 at home.
Here's what you need to know about the matchup.
more:Why OKC Thunder's Jaylen Williams sent a message after Game 1 loss to Mavericks
Thunder vs. Mavericks live score updates
more:Musatto: How Aaron Wiggins on the Thunder bench helped the Mavericks lose Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs
Thunder vs. Mavericks Highlights
more:How Le Dort protected Luka Doncic like a 'warrior' in Thunder vs. Mavericks' Game 1 win
Finals: Mavericks 119, Thunder 110 | Dallas series tied 1 win, 1 loss
It was OKC's first loss of the playoffs and first loss since April 5, when they lost 119-110 in Game 2. Luka didn’t look like the Luka he was on Tuesday or last round. 29 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists. PJ Washington takes the corner for his 29th point. Thunder he could not find the final gear in 4th gear.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff Writer
more:Thunder vs. Mavericks takeaways: Luka Doncic's 3-point shooting helps Dallas win Game 2
End of 3rd quarter: Mavericks 99, Thunder 89 | Tim Hardaway Jr. named Dallas manager
Dallas led 99-89 entering the fourth. He'll probably be in the Dubs lineup for this game. The Mavs had some good responses, including a run by THJ. PJ Washington hasn't lost that touch.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff Writer
2:44 left in 3rd quarter: Mavericks 94, Thunder 81
It was just Tim Hardaway Jr.'s lackluster plays and sequences. A four-point play in transition, and Cason Wallace played like he knew it was coming. He scored 10 points in a row.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff Writer
Aaron Wiggins starts second half in place of Josh Guidi for Thunder
Guidi posted a plus-minus of 14 in just eight minutes of play in the first half.
Halftime: Mavericks 68, Thunder 62 | Luka Doncic, Dallas keeps OKC at bay so far
Dallas led 68-62 after the first half. Tonight, Luka is becoming more and more like Luka. Makes a great 11-7 read. It's really easy. As OKC tends to do, the corners are open. PJ Washington makes a living there. The Mavs are 12 of 24 from deep. Shai was 18 and Dub was 14. OKC responded well to the early deficit.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff Writer
Late 2Q: Daniel Gafford injures his hand.
A few minutes ago, something happened to Gafford's hand while he was on the block. After making a mistake there, he seemed to go straight to the locker room.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff Writer
3:30 left in 2Q: Mavericks 59, Thunder 51 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC chips away at Dallas' lead
A game of runs. Luka spun Dort out of bounds. Shai steals the leg from the defender's cache. OKC down 8.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff Writer
Another day, another $1 (or $20,000) for Thunder fans in a contest.
The Thunder may have the best shooting fans in the NBA. It was the third time in four playoff games that a Thunder fan took a half-court contest shot.
—Jeff Patterson, Staff Writer
End of 1st quarter: Mavericks 36, Thunder 32 | Luka Doncic has a mission
Dallas led by one point, 36-32. Luka Doncic's world so far: 16 points, endless setbacks, more whistles than the last game at this point. Corner 3 is corner 3ing. The Mavs are 8 of 13 from deep. It was a really, really good quarter for the JWill-Chet lineup. We dug an early hole in OKC. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 10 points.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff Writer
8:50 left in 1Q: Mavericks 13, Thunder 4 | Luka Doncic gets off to a strong start
Luke is here. Turn on the heater to start this game. Couples backed off his 3, probed PNR and hit a nice lob to Gafford against a relaxed defense. He's tried his hand at everything.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff Writer
Kyler Murray is the latest celebrity to play in Thunder vs. Mavericks playoff series
Two days after the OU great was spotted courtside during the Thunder vs. Mavericks at Paycom Center, former Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray watches Game 2 Thursday night up close.
The former Osaka University football star was selected No. 1 overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2019 NFL Draft and currently serves as the starting quarterback.
Former Osaka University basketball player Trae Young participated in Game 1 on Tuesday.
—Jeff Patterson, Staff Writer
Mark Daigneault reacts to NBA MVP result
Denver's Nikola Jokic single-handedly won the NBA Most Valuable Player award, but the battle for second place was between Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dallas' Luka Doncic.
Gilgeous-Alexander received 15 votes to Doncic's four and 40 second-place votes to Doncic's 36 votes.
Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder beat Doncic and the Mavericks in Game 1, and SGA beat Doncic in the MVP race.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault was asked about the result before Thursday's second game.
“I was really rooting for him,” Daigneault said of SGA. “As I said before, I don't think individual awards prove anything about the achievements of the players and all the players who are competing for the award.
“It doesn't change the fact that he had a great two-end season, a great regular season, unprecedented numbers, and the impact he had on our team not just this season, but throughout this build-up.” Winning an award won't change any of those things.
Gilgeous-Alexander recorded back-to-back top-five MVP finishes. He finished fifth in this award last season.
—Joe Moussatto, Staff Writer
OKC Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks NBA Playoff Game 2 predictions
Justin Martinez, The Oklahoman
The Thunder met all the criteria with a big win in Game 1.
OKC held Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving to a combined 39 points. It tore apart Dallas' improved defense. He showed off his depth by scoring 42 bench points.
It's worth noting that Dallas lost Game 1 to the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round, but won the series 4-2. The Mavericks know how to adapt, but the Thunder should be able to work from home Thursday as well.
prediction: Thunder 108, Mavericks 102
more:Why does the OKC Thunder play a deep rotation in the NBA playoffs? Mark Daigneault explains
Game 2: How to watch OKC Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks
- date: Thursday, May 9th
- time: 8:30pm (Central time)
- tv set: ESPN
- Live stream: Sling (free viewing)
more:OKC Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finishes second behind Nikola Jokic in NBA MVP voting.
OKC Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks injury report
OKC Thunder injury report
none
Dallas Mavericks injury report
Maxi Kleber (right shoulder sprain) is out. Olivier Maxence-Prosper (left ankle sprain) is absent. Luka Doncic (right knee sprain) is likely.
more:Sam Presti wrote a letter to the Celtics telling them they should draft Jason Kidd when he was 16: “He was right.''
OKC Thunder projected starting lineup
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (30.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 6.2 APG)
- Josh Guidy (12.3 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 4.8 APG)
- Le Dort (10.9 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1.4 APG)
- Jalen Williams (19.1 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 4.5 APG)
- Chet Holmgren (16.5 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 2.4 APG)
more:Did Shai Gilgeous-Alexander get snubbed in NBA MVP voting? Shaquille O'Neal thinks so.
Dallas Mavericks projected starting lineup
- Luka Doncic (33.9 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 9.8 APG)
- Kyrie Irving (25.6 PPG, 5 RPG, 5.2 APG)
- Derrick Jones Jr. (8.6 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1 APG)
- PJ Washington (11.7 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 1.5 APG)
- Daniel Gafford (11.2 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.6 APG)
more:Luka Doncic continues to struggle in the playoffs after Mavs lost to Thunder: “We have to get better''
OKC Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks Playoff Series Schedule
- Game 1: OKC 117, Dallas 95
- Game 2: Thursday 8:30 p.m., OKC (ESPN)
- Game 3: Saturday 2:30 p.m., Dallas (ABC)
- Game 4: Monday 8:30pm Dallas (TNT)
- Game 5 (if required): TBA Wednesday, May 15, OKC (TNT)
- Game 6 (if required): Saturday, May 18, 7:30 p.m., Dallas (ESPN)
- Game 7 (if required): Monday, May 20th, 7:30pm, OKC (TNT)
more:OKC Thunder fans receive warning for interaction with Kyrie Irving in Game 1 against Mavericks
OKC Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks regular season series record
OKC won the regular season series 3-1.
more:Mussatto: Why Thunder vs. Mavericks is the NBA rivalry we've been waiting for
OKC Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks NBA Playoffs Game 2 betting odds
Odds provided by BetMGM as of Thursday, May 9th.
- Spread: OKC (-4.5)
- Top/Bottom: 218.5
- Money line: OKC-200 | Dallas +165
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2024 NBA Playoffs
1st round pick: Celtics vs Heat | Knicks vs 76ers | Bucks vs Pacers | Cavaliers vs Magic | Thunder vs Pelicans | Nuggets vs Lakers | Timberwolves vs Suns | Clippers vs Mavericks
2nd round pick: Thunder vs. Mavericks | Nuggets vs. Timberwolves | Celtics vs. Cavaliers | Knicks vs. Pacers
more:2024 NBA Playoffs: Complete schedule, bracket breakdown and how to watch
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