By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks couldn’t cope with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder at the start of the NBA Playoffs Western Conference semifinals.
SGA led the 1-seeded team from the West to a convincing 117-95 victory at home, and Luka Doncic had one of his worst performances of the season.
Dallas’ leader finished the game with 19 points on 6/19 shooting from the field, along with nine assists and six rebounds, as Mavericks lost fifth straight Game 1 in the Playoffs.
On the other side, Gilgeous-Alexander was on the verge of a triple-double with 29 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists.
Chet Holmgren followed with 18 points and seven boards, while Jalen Williams scored 10 out of his 18 points in the final 12 minutes.
As for the Mavs, Kyrie Irving had 20 points, while Daniel Gafford added 16 with 11 rebounds.
The Boston Celtics also took the lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 120-95 at home, with Jaylen Brown scoring 32 points and Derrick White adding 25.
For the losing side, Donovan Mitchell had 33 points, while Evan Mobley reached a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds.