DALLAS — The ball was in the hands it needed with just over a minute left.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's surgically operated palm has accomplished so much at that point. They've been consistent in this moment all season. On Saturday, they were the answer and a lifeline like no other.
Perhaps the Thunder lost 105-101 in the eventual third game that gave Dallas a 2-1 series lead in the Western Conference semifinals, giving the Mavericks the right to make the incision needed to close the three-point lead. They were probably the only ones who had it.
SGA took one hard dribble before charging backwards as he passed half court on two dribbles and Mavs center Derek Lively II was across from him.it was of Shot — Gilgeous-Alexander's patented stepback. Less revealed, but they tend to arrive on time.
But the Thunder's star was off, Kyrie Irving played hero with a rim-loving floater, and OKC's window closed. Gilgeous-Alexander, a master of step-backs and changes of pace, was forced to counter OKC's walk until his health ran out.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points in 42 minutes on Saturday, helping Dallas to a 16-0 blowout victory. While the Thunder were on the ropes, he watched as Jaylen Williams headed to the locker room with an apparent injury to his ankle. He watched his team dribble into the dead zone, get surrounded by crowds and force unaccustomed turnovers. Ownership remained empty for a long time.
SGA hovered around 30 points until two teammates scored in double figures. Before getting noticed, Williams was being thrown off the rim on a rare occasion. Rookie Chet Holmgren, a victim of Dallas' repeated switches, hit just two 3-pointers and nine shots on Saturday.
With OKC's offense going strong and sinking, the Thunder made their first five shots to start the third quarter, but hit just 7 of 20 in the fourth. There was Gilgeous-Alexander. He didn't miss much as he only sat for 1 minute and 20 seconds in the second half.
And the young Thunder seemed to respond to that request by running, leaving SGA with a scoring burden that not even Mr. Olympia could shoulder.
When asked if he felt a different sense of responsibility in taking over the game, SGA replied, “To be honest, not more than usual.'' “No matter what happens, I'm just trying to be aggressive. Try to make the right play for myself and my teammates.”
SGA got into position and lifted for a pull-up jumper along the baseline and key. He made his way to the rim, even if it risked a few black eyes and a tough Dallas defense folding into him. He kept dribbling until the shot was taken. Even if he didn't feel like the shot was taken.
Through the first two games of the series, 58.3% of his shots came from seven or more dribbles. In the regular season, those shots made up just 44.8% of his shot diet. In the first round, it was even less.
And Gilgeous-Alexander scored and searched until there was nothing left. He went for the same shot Saturday that helped lift the Thunder's offense before making one of six attempts in the fourth quarter. They were primarily shots he relied on all season, a steady look of precise hands.
It was a hand that was hoping to carry Thunder to the finish as usual, but it fell just short.Gilgeous-Alexander for most of Saturday was response. Until he can no longer be.
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PJ Washington goes nuclear (again)
Gilgeous-Alexander's response was a knee-jerk reaction, an ad-lib before the question had been fully asked. He heard his PJ Washington name and immediately thought out loud.
“Hmm, hmmm,” Gilgeous-Alexander muttered, shaking his head. “PJ Washington”
His reaction was one rooted in disbelief. Gilgeous-Alexander probably knew what his former Kentucky teammate was capable of. But he probably didn't expect his Game 2 outburst to trickle down and the Mavericks' forwards would seize the series the way he did.
Washington, who scored 27 points and went 5-for-9 on shots from deep in the final quarter, has been a thorn in the side of the Thunder. The check engine light comes on after you have paid in full. A sucker punch that comes from behind. An outcome that was hardly expected and certainly not appreciated.
“He's hoo-hooing,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “If he wants to win the series, he's got to shut the water off, for sure.”
OKC's defense has long focused opposing offenses on the corners. It is courageous for role players to enjoy the important moments to the fullest. Focusing on otherworldly shot makers like Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, they kept pouring shots in there, most of which ended up in Washington's hands. Williams pointed out that Washington was just making shots.
A deadly corner 3, a post-up that comes from penetrating early offense, then a rim take after OKC tries to run him from the 3-point line. His goal started the night for Dallas. He also ended the night with a seemingly inevitable three during the Mavs' key third-quarter run.
Mark Daigneault wasn't at all surprised by P.J. Washington Jr.'s outburst in Game 2. Before Saturday's game, he said he always gets a feeling from certain players, a feeling that certain role players will kill the Thunder when they come across. Washington is one of them.
“When I was in Charlotte, it felt like every shot was a given,” Daigneault said before OKC's Game 3 loss.
Now he's in Dallas, and I can feel that feeling.
more:How OKC Thunder's Mark Daigneault went from UConn coach to NBA Coach of the Year
Dallas continues to struggle with rebounding
As Dallas continued its run to 16-0, OKC's old Achilles heel began to ache.
Team size and its attendant trade-offs have long been accepted. Coach Daigneault brushed off questions about them, saying OKC certainly isn't going to concede rebounds. That effort is still needed to make up for the lack of size. And since the All-Star break, OKC has largely provided that.
But one possession mattered more than anything as the Mavs pulled off a deadly four-minute sequence. Sandwiched between the 6 and 5 minute marks, Dallas grabbed three offensive rebounds and OKC was forced to defend it forever. The sequence ended with Lively II only being fouled.
Five of OKC's six offensive rebounds came in the fourth quarter. At one point, the Mavericks pulled off one demoralizing board after another and led 14-1 in offensive rebounds.
Effort, bad luck, fluctuations in quality that didn't kill the Thunder but now drown them, all contributed to a hole OKC never climbed out of.
“I can't analyze why they got the rebound because I can't see the entire floor from my vantage point,” Holmgren said. But when you have a 14-to-1 advantage, it means they are crashing more and crashing harder. …in games. As close as it was today, second chances are very important for us to limit and to grab for ourselves.”
more:Why can't the Thunder's Lou Dort show? Mavericks need to 'prepare for a hit'
OKC Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks Playoff Series Schedule
- Game 1: OKC 117, Dallas 95
- Game 2: Dallas 119, OKC 110
- Game 3: Dallas 105, OKC 101
- Game 4: Monday 8:30pm Dallas (TNT)
- Game 5: Wednesday, May 15th, 8:30pm, 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)
