Thunder Dominate Mavericks 100-87
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 points to lead the Thunder past the Mavericks, 100-87. Oklahoma City's defense held Dallas under 90 points — a rarity this season — cementing their playoff contender status in the West.
The victory marked Oklahoma City's complete season sweep of the Mavericks, winning all three matchups between the two teams this year. This win was also the Thunder's second consecutive victory and their seventh in the last nine games, solidifying their position atop the Western Conference standings with a 47-15 record. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 30-point effort was not just a game-high, but also history-making. He has now scored 20 or more points in 59 straight road games, breaking Wilt Chamberlain's long-standing NBA record. This was his 123rd consecutive game scoring at least 20 points overall, putting him just three games shy of tying Chamberlain's all-time record of 126. OKC's top-ranked defense was on full display, holding the Mavericks to a season-low 87 points. This performance snapped the Mavericks' 41-game streak of scoring at least 100 points, which had been the longest active streak in the league. The Thunder boast the best defensive rating in the NBA this season at 107.4. The Mavericks' offensive struggles were compounded by significant injuries. They were without three regular starters, including star rookie Cooper Flagg, who missed his seventh straight game with a sprained left foot. Also sidelined were P.J. Washington Jr. and Naji Marshall. For Dallas, the loss was their third in a row and their 13th in the last 15 games. It also marked their eighth consecutive home loss, the franchise's longest home losing streak since the 1993-94 season. In the absence of key players, Caleb Martin led the team with a season-high 18 points. While the Thunder's defense was dominant, their offense wasn't firing on all cylinders, particularly from long range. They shot just 6 for 29 (20.7%) from three-point territory through the first three quarters. A 10-2 run to start the fourth quarter, sparked by eight straight points from Isaiah Joe, finally allowed Oklahoma City to pull away for good. Chet Holmgren provided crucial support for the Thunder, finishing with 19 points and nine rebounds. This win was achieved despite it being the Thunder's lowest point total in a victory this season.
