By defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 146-111 on Saturday, the Dallas Mavericks matched their longest winning sequence of the season at four games, with Luka Doncic contributing 32 points.
In addition to P.J. Washington, Daniel Gafford recorded 19 points and nine rebounds in his debut with the Dallas Mavericks following transactions that concluded prior to Thursday’s deadline. Kyrie Irving recorded 25 points.
Gafford immediately provided energy off the bench, just as he will be required to do when newcomer Dereck Lively II recovers from a nasal fracture. His previous team was the Washington Wizards.
Both Charlotte natives, including Washington, who accumulated 14 points, had alley-oop dunks assisted by Doncic within minutes of their first-quarter entries.
“Playing alongside Luka, Kyrie, and the other players that were present on the court made me feel like I was already a part of the group,” Gafford, who finished 7 of 11 in 17 minutes, explained.
Doncic recorded eight rebounds and nine assists while sitting out the fourth quarter as Dallas advanced to 4-0 with both Doncic and Irving in the lineup following Irving’s return from a sprained thumb.
“The pace was quick,” stated Mavs head coach Jason Kidd. “No one was required to run up their minutes.” Moreover, we had a discussion regarding that this afternoon. Much, much, much excellent material.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander contributed 25 points for the Thunder, who acquired Hornets’ Gordon Hayward at the trade deadline but do not anticipate using the 2017 All-Star prior to the All-Star break the following week.
The Mavs held a 47-30 lead after the Thunder allowed the most points in a quarter in 2023-24, 18 points from Doncic, during the highest-scoring first quarter in franchise history.
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault stated, “They shot well early on, but that’s where some of the transition, such as straight-up fast break plays, really hurt you.” “The 47th minute can occur in that manner, given that you are committing easy looks and they are converting, is why.”
Oklahoma City, which trailed Minnesota by a half-game for the Western Conference lead, came within four points at the midpoint of the second quarter after falling behind by 22 late in the first.
In the second half, the Mavericks regained control after Gafford recovered an Irving 3-point miss and was penalised on the put-back. In the dying seconds of the third quarter, his free throw gave Dallas a 110-89 advantage. Gafford accumulated four offensive rebounds to lead the Mavs.
Kidd stated, “What we’ve observed while playing against Gafford is that he grabs every offensive rebound.” “That is what I believed he did for us,” Furthermore, we will require that.”
Irving provided eight assists, including his 4,000th in the second quarter, as the Mavs completed the game one point shy of their season-high total.