Mavericks defeat Thunder 105-101 in Game 3 to take 2-1 series lead

Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City in scoring and rebounding, recording a 31 points, ten-rebound double-double to add to his six assists. Forward Jalen Williams (16) and center Chet Holmgren (13) joined Gilgeous-Alexander as the only Thunder starters to record double-digit scoring. Isaiah Joe gave the Thunder a spark off the bench, scoring 13 points and shooting 3-4 from beyond the three-point line to pick up the slack for forward Lou Dort (8) and guard Josh Giddey (9), who both failed to reach double-digit scoring. However, Joe’s spark was not enough to grant Oklahoma City a victory, as Kyrie Irving sealed the game with 39.3 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter after driving to the paint and sinking a left-handed floater to extend the Mavericks lead to 104-99.

The Mavericks host Game 4 on Monday, May 13, where they hope to take a 3-1 series lead over the No. 1 seeded Thunder. Oklahoma City looks to capture a game on the road and even the series at 2-2 before returning to Oklahoma for Game 5 on Wednesday, May 15.