Thunder - Mavericks: stats, scores and highlights | NBA Playoffs Game 3
Thunder - Mavericks: NBA Playoffs Game 3
The Mavs move 2-1 ahead in the series with Game 4 set for Monday.
Dallas win
Doncic has had a bruising night and looks like he's limping again.
10 seconds left
OKC 99-104 Dallas
Irving sinks a floater and Dallas have a five point lead.
The Slovenian seems to have taken the impact on his back but is back in action and wins the jump ball.
Doncic is on the floor and looks to be a little shaken up.
Dallas lead by three.
Joe with a three (the second of the quarter) for OKC.
OKC take a time out with the Mavs holding a six point lead.
The quarter continues and Dallas still hold their advantage.
Things getting tense on the court with Dallas holding a three point lead.
Time out called with just over six minutes left on the clock.
Dallas in control.
Gilgeous-Alexander with a fantastic three. His first points of the quarter.
It's been a hugely impressive performance from Irving tonight and the veteran has been instrumental in driving the Mavs ahead.
The Thunder staying in touch and trail by 5.
Make that seven as Irving scores again.
Doncic far from his best tonight with just 16 points so far for the Slovenian.
Thunder missing key triples as the fans up the noise levels.
Dallas seem to have ridden out the storm and with Washington and Irving on form hold a slender advantage going into the final quarter.
Dallas lead by four points at the end of the quarter.
Two minutes of the quarter remain and Dallas lead by just 2 points.
Williams makes his way to the locker room and the good news is that the player was able to make his own way from the court.
Gilgeous-Alexander has gone quiet and it's no coincidence that OKC are less impactful when the 25-year-old is off the boil.
Williams is injured and OKC will need to take a time-out as the player gets treatment.
This quarter has really seen the game come alive after a sluggish first half.
Washington again, that's his 27th point
OKC 65-68 Mavs
Dallas are back in front and this game has become a real to-and-fro game with the initattive back with the Mavs.
The Thunder just two points ahead now.
Better from the Mavs and finally, the fans at the American Airlines Centre come alive as OKC take a time-out.
OKC 65-Mavs 55
OKC now ten points ahead and Dallas are on the ropes now.
With 19 points, PJ Washington leads the way in the scoring charts.
Gilgeous-Alexander on 17.
OKC 61-55 Mavs
Jason Kidd calls a time out and Dallas trail by the highest margin tonight so far.
We're back underway for Q3.
OKC 52-51 Mavs
Mahomes courtside tonight
The Chiefs player is at the American Airlines Centre tonight with Brittany Lane to take in the Game 3 action.
A half that sees both teams far from their best in terms of shooting and despite a solid start from Dallas, OKC have slowly edged their way back into the contest with Gilgeous-Alexander starting to deliver.
Doncic puts Dallas and then OKC do the same to take a 52-51 lead at half-time.
OKC 45-48 Mavs
Doncic commits his first personal foul and the Slovenian star looks to be suffering with his knee and ankle previuously troubling the player.
Dallas bounce back from the time-out to level the game.
Dallas call time out as they trail by five points.
Gilgeous-Alexander puts OKC ahead again.
OKC 38-38 Mavs
Low scoring affair so far with the Mavs fans still to find their voice as Washington sinks two more to move to 16 points for the game.
Doncic misses another triple effort and the Slovenian has only managed 9 points so far tonight.
Hardaway ties the game with a 3 and that will do the Mavs flagging confidence a world of good.
Doncic 2/8 from the floor now !
Time out called with the score at 34-31 with OKC ahead.
Doncic tries a triple and misses for the second time in quick succession.
Joe ties the game with a solid triple.
Dallas start strongly with a big triple.
Good start from Dallas but as the quarter rolled along, OKC managed to edge their way back into the contest.
Gilgeous-Alexander starting to generate more trouble for the Mavs now too.
Joe for three and OKC move to three points
OKC 23-26 Mavs
End of Q1
Gilgeous-Alexander bags a three to take his points tally to 9.
Luka back on court for the remainder of the quarter.
Mavs lead 17-24
Irving again with a sublime basket to restore a 9 point lead.
Gilgeous-Alexander being well marshalled by the Mavs defence.
The Thunder 1/7 on the three point throw count and that is the undermining of the top seeds in the West.
Make that 7 as Kyrie gets his first points.
The Thunder cut the lead to five points.
OKC 13-20 Dallas
Irving looking good but the former Nets man yet to try a shot.
Washington the leading scorer so far in the game with 9 points.
Washington slots a three as Doncic leaves the court.
Thunder with just 1 three pointer from 5 attempts.
Doncic alleged to have fouled and a volley of boos ring out from the home fans.
OKC 7-13 Mavs
The OKC challenge is over-ruled and it's three free throws for Dallas.
The foul will be challenged by the Thunder.
Doncic fouked and that will be three free throws. Clever play from the Slovenian.
Everything going Dallas' way with the OKC Thunder looking slightly rusty in the opening minutes.
Solid start from the Mavs as Jones sinks the basket and adds a free throw for three points.
OKC 5-6 Mavs
Free throws for the Thunder as Holmgren misses his two throws to the delight of the home fans.
Dallas open the scoring.
'Let's Go Mavs' rings around the arena as the atmosphere builds.
OKC win possession from the tip-off.
All the pre-game action is out of the way and we're all set at the American Airlines Centre with practically a full house.
It's US national anthem time.
OKC not alone in Dallas
Despite being well outnumbered by Mavs fas at the American Airlines Centre, a few Thunder fans have made the trip to the Texan capital.
Dallas Mavericks gunning for second NBA Championship
With just one NBA title in the trophy room (2011), Dallas will be hoping that two games at home will play a role in stealing a series lead before returning for Game 5 in Oklahoma City next week.
The Mavs also made the finals in 2006 but fell short against Miami.
Gilgeous-Alexander on Doncic
The OKC star was full of praise for Slovenian Doncic after Game 2 stating: "Obviously he's a really talented player," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "He had a big night. ... He's seen every coverage, every defense. It's just about making him work, and hopefully that wears on him."
Daigneault: 'We were outplayed in Game 2'
"Curious but confident," Daigneault said of how his team would react in the wake of Thursday's 119-110 loss that tied the series 1-1. "I'm not sitting here wondering. This is a team that's made a habit of getting back up. We keep a pretty steady temperament through the ups and downs of the season, and this is just part of the deal.
"This is the playoffs. Playing against really good teams. These are deep waters. You're gonna throw some punches, you're gonna take some punches, and now we've gotta eat one, get back to zero ... and be a better team in Game 3."
Fans packing into AAC
With 30 minutes ahead of tip-off, fans are starting to pack into the American Airlines Centre in downtown Dallas with close to 20.000 fans expected for Game 3 today,
Doncic is in the house
Some strong looks too from the Mavs players too as we edge towards the 3.30 pm (ET) tip-off.
Protect home court, the Mavs mission !
With the surprise Game 2 win in Oklahoma, the tied has moved in Dallas' favour as they now face the top seeded with two games in the Texan capital.
As, always, a sharp shooting Luka Doncic will be key to any Mavs victory.
How the bracket is shaping up
The winners of the Mavs-Thunder game will meet the victorious team from the T'Wolves-Nuggets clash with Minnesota currently ahead against the reigning title holders.
In the East, Boston, Cleveland, NY and Indiana are the four sides still in contention.
Doncic available !
The Mavs have confirmed the good news that will be music to all fans' ears as Luka Doncic is confirmed as available despite his knee problem.
Watching Game 3 action in Dallas
If you’re in the Texan capital on Saturday afternoon and fancy taking in some NBA Playoff action, the good news is that a handful tickets for the game are still available but this being the postseason, they don’t come supercheap with Game 3 ticket prices starting from $150 for the cheapest seats via Ticketmaster.
The series so far
After a comfortable Game 1 win at home for OKC, Dallas delivered a shock with a Game 2 win at Paycom Centre and take the advantage away from the top seeded side in the Western Conference.
A win tonight, would go some way as offering the Mavs a real chance to rock the boat and oust the Thunder in their bid for their first ever NBA Championship in their OKC Thunder guise.
Big OKC style pre-game
The Thunder players are ready for Game 3 with some big fashion looks going down from military style to Metallica t-shirts. No heads left unturned today in Dallas !
Mavs injury list
Both Maxi Kleber (shoulder) and Olivier-Maxence Prosper (ankle) are 100% absentees for the Mavericks as the home side will be hoping to treat the home supporters to a double game win with Game 4 scheduled for Monday night at the American Airlines Centre before the series heads back to Oklahoma City.
Doncic: will he or won't he?
The Slovenian player's fitness has been the lead talking point ahead of Game 3 and it's not guaranteed that the point guard will start tonight as he still tries to shake off a persistent knee problem with the 25-year-old being cited as 'questionable' ahead of the match-up.
Hello and a warm welcome to our live coverage from Game 3 as Oklahoma head to Dallas with the series tied at 1-1.
The action from the American Airlines Centre gets underway at 3:30 pm (ET) with a full house expected.