Mavericks knockout Thunder in Western Conference semifinals

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 19: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks dribbles the ball against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on January 19, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

The Dallas Mavericks are in the Western Conference Finals, and it was the face of their franchise that came up big on Saturday night at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Guard Luka Doncic of Ljubljana, Slovenia notched his seventh career postseason triple double as the Mavericks beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 117-116 in game six of the Western Conference semifinals. With the win, the Mavericks won the best out of seven series four games to two.

Doncic had 29 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in game six. He made nine of 15 field goals, four of six three-point shots, all seven free throws, and had two steals.

In all there were five Mavericks who reached double digits in points. Australian-born guard Kyrie Irving and forward Derrick Jones Jr. of Chester, Pennsylvania had 22 points each. Center Dereck Lively II had a double-double off the bench (12 points and 15 rebounds), and power forward Daniel Gafford of El Dorado, Arkansas had 10 points, but was a defensively liability as he was a poor -25.

This game was all about Doncic, who is having quite the postseason. He leads the NBA in postseason assists (109), and postseason triple doubles (four). Doncic’s other three postseason triple doubles in 2024 came in a 116-111 game four first round Mavericks loss to the Los Angeles Clippers (29 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists), in a 100-96 game four second round Mavericks loss to the Thunder (18 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists), and in a 104-92 Mavericks win over the Thunder in game five (31 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds).

Dallas will now face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Final. The Boston Celtics will face the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Final.

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