The Oklahoma City Thunder saw their undefeated streak end on November 17, 2024, falling to the Dallas Mavericks with a 121-119 final score at Paycom Center. Despite a late rally, the Thunder failed to overcome a significant deficit in the second half, marking their first loss of the 2024-25 NBA season and leaving them with an 11-1 record.
Mavericks Overcome Absence of Luka Dončić
The Dallas Mavericks secured the victory despite playing without their star guard, Luka Dončić, who was sidelined due to a right knee contusion. In his absence, P.J. Washington spearheaded the Mavericks’ offense, recording a double-double with 27 points and 17 rebounds. According to the official NBA box score, the Mavericks shot 47.7% from the field and utilized a balanced attack to keep the Thunder defense off-balance throughout the second and third quarters. Kyrie Irving added 23 points, providing the veteran leadership necessary to stifle Oklahoma City’s comeback efforts in the closing minutes.
Thunder Offensive Struggles and Comeback Attempt
The Thunder struggled to maintain their usual efficiency, particularly from the three-point line, where they shot 15-of-42 as a team. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City with 36 points, but the team faced a double-digit deficit for much of the second half.
The game tightened significantly in the final minute. After trailing by as many as 14 points, the Thunder managed to trim the lead to two. Luguentz Dort attempted a corner three-pointer in the final seconds that could have secured the win, but the shot missed, allowing Dallas to escape with the victory. The loss snapped an 11-game winning streak to start the season, which had tied the best start in franchise history.
Statistical Comparison: Thunder vs. Mavericks
The disparity in rebounding proved to be a defining factor in the contest. The Mavericks dominated the glass, out-rebounding the Thunder 53-29. This discrepancy granted Dallas extra possessions and limited Oklahoma City’s ability to transition into their fast-paced offense.
| Category | Oklahoma City Thunder | Dallas Mavericks |
|---|---|---|
| Leading Scorer | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (36) | P.J. Washington (27) |
| Total Rebounds | 29 | 53 |
| Team Field Goal % | 46.2% | 47.7% |
| Turnovers | 8 | 13 |
Impact on Western Conference Standings
Following the result, the Thunder dropped to 11-1, ceding sole possession of the best record in the Western Conference. The Mavericks moved to 6-7 on the season. Oklahoma City’s next opportunity to recover comes during a stretch of high-stakes matchups as they look to maintain their position at the top of the conference standings. The loss highlights the team’s vulnerability on the boards, an area that head coach Mark Daigneault will likely address as the team prepares for their upcoming schedule.
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