Without Luka Dončić, Mavericks Lean on P.J. Washington, Kyrie Irving, and Depth to Defeat Thunder
P.J. Washington's 27 points, career-high 17 rebounds, and Kyrie Irving's clutch plays lifted the Mavericks past the Thunder 121-119 without Luka Dončić.
OKLAHOMA CITY – With Luka Dončić sidelined by a right knee contusion, the Dallas Mavericks relied on grit, size, and timely execution to outlast the Oklahoma City Thunder 121-119 Sunday night. In a game where rebounding dominance told the story, the Mavericks weathered a furious late rally to claim a victory, showcasing their depth and ability to adapt without their top superstar.
“It’s tough, but for us, it’s a next-man-up mentality, and I think we did a good job of that,” Mavericks forward P.J. Washington said after returning to the starting lineup. “The ball was moving. Everybody was playing good defensively, everyone was together, and we had a good spirit about us today.”
Washington led Dallas with 27 points and a career-high 17 rebounds, while Kyrie Irving added 23 points and six assists, providing leadership in critical moments. They set the tone in a balanced scoring night, featuring seven Mavericks players scoring in double figures after recently struggling to generate bench points.
"It felt great," Irving said. "Everybody’s been needed, and everyone’s been doing their job. Tonight could have gotten out of control with turnovers or wasted possessions, but we stayed composed. We valued every possession and finished strong. It’s a step in the right direction, but we’re not satisfied yet."
It was another impressive performance from Washington in Oklahoma City, who thrived at Paycom Center throughout the Western Conference semifinals, helping to guide the Mavericks in the series before advancing. He averaged 16.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in three road playoff games against the Thunder.
“Yeah, I like playing here. I think I just enjoy the matchup,” Washington said. “I went to school with Shai, so I love matching up against him. He’s a great player, and they’ve got a great team over there. I love playing against him for sure.”
The Mavericks outrebounded the Thunder 53-29, overwhelming an undersized Oklahoma City lineup missing Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Jaylin Williams. Washington made clear that this area was a significant emphasis.
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