NBA playoffs
Dallas advances to the Western Conference finals
Oklahoma’s Luguentz Dort (5) cannot prevent Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving’s throw. photo
© Tony Gutierrez/AP
The Dallas Mavericks eliminate the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the West and reach the conference finals of the NBA playoffs for the second time in three years.
The Dallas Mavericks are in the playoffs of the North American Professional Basketball League NBA reached the Western Conference finals. The team around star player Luka Doncic turned game six of the series against the Oklahoma City Thunder and ultimately won 117:116 (48:64). The Mavericks beat the top seeded team in the West with a 4-2 win.
After a weak first half, Dallas was clearly behind, even by as many as 17 points in the third quarter. But the Mavericks fought back, led by Doncic with 29 points, ten rebounds and ten assists – the Slovenian achieved his fourth so-called triple double in this year’s playoffs.
On the final play of the game, with a one-point deficit, he put the ball in the corner to PJ Washington, who was fouled by Oklahoma’s top scorer Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (36 points) on his three-point throw. A challenge from the Thunder did not change the decision. Washington hit the first two free throws and intentionally missed the last one. With no time out left, Oklahoma’s Jalen Williams was only able to take a desperation throw deep from his own half, which missed its target.
The Mavericks’ German professional Maxi Kleber missed the entire series against the Thunder due to a shoulder injury he sustained in the previous round against the Los Angeles Clippers.
In the final in the West, Dallas will now face defending champions Denver Nuggets or the Minnesota Timberwolves. The series is 3:3. The decisive game seven takes place on Monday night.