Mavericks beat Thunder in thriller to reach finals….

The Dallas Mavericks clinched a thrilling victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, securing their spot in the Western Conference finals with a 117-116 win in Game 6. This nail-biting finish capped off a series filled with intense competition and standout performances.

Luka Doncic was instrumental in the Mavericks’ success, posting a remarkable triple-double with 31 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists in Game 5 to give Dallas a crucial series lead. Doncic’s resilience was evident as he played through injuries, showing leadership and determination on the court [[❞]](https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2024/5/16/nba-playoffs-celtics-fight-past-cavs-to-enter-finals-mavs-beat-thunder) [[❞]](https://businessmirror.com.ph/2024/05/16/mavs-regain-series-lead-over-thunder-close-in-on-west-finals/).

In Game 6, the Mavericks held off a fierce comeback attempt by the Thunder, who were led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 30 points. Despite the Thunder’s efforts, Dallas maintained their composure, with key contributions from Derrick Jones Jr., who scored a playoff career-high 19 points, and P.J. Washington Jr., who added a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds [[❞]](https://businessmirror.com.ph/2024/05/16/mavs-regain-series-lead-over-thunder-close-in-on-west-finals/).

The Mavericks’ defense played a significant role, holding the Thunder to 42.5% shooting in Game 5 and making crucial stops in the final moments of Game 6. The victory was a team effort, highlighting the depth and versatility of Dallas’s roster [[❞]](https://businessmirror.com.ph/2024/05/16/mavs-regain-series-lead-over-thunder-close-in-on-west-finals/).

Looking ahead, the Mavericks will face either the Los Angeles Lakers or the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference finals, poised to continue their playoff journey with the momentum from their hard-fought series against the Thunder [[❞]](https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2024/5/16/nba-playoffs-celtics-fight-past-cavs-to-enter-finals-mavs-beat-thunder).