Newsletter
Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Reading: Instant Analysis: No Luka, No Problem For The Mavericks In 121-119 Win Over Thunder
Fadeaway WorldFadeaway World
Search
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Follow US
Home > NBA News & Analysis > Dallas Mavericks News & Analysis > Instant Analysis: No Luka, No Problem For The Mavericks In 121-119 Win Over Thunder

Instant Analysis: No Luka, No Problem For The Mavericks In 121-119 Win Over Thunder

The Dallas Mavericks picked up a 121-119 win over the OKC Thunder despite Luka Doncic missing the game with a knee injury.

Ishaan Bhattacharya
Nov 18, 2024
7 Min Read
Share

Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

The Dallas Mavericks have returned to having a .500 record after picking up a 121-119 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center in OKC. Luka Doncic was ruled out of this game with a knee injury, but the rest of the Mavs stepped up in a great performance to pick up this win on the second night of a back-to-back.

Contents
  • The Mavericks Style Isn’t Suiting Luka Doncic
  • P.J. Washington Is Dallas’ 3rd-Best Player
  • OKC Can Only Go So Far Without A Center

P.J. Washington picked up where he left off against the Thunder in the Playoffs with 27 points (7-13 FG), 17 rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in his return from injury after missing five games. Kyrie Irving scored 23 points (9-18 FG) and dished six assists to lead the team as their point guard in Luka’s absence. Five other Mavericks had double-digit points in this win.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a great individual game with 36 points (13-19 FG) with eight assists, two steals, and two blocks while Jalen Williams continued his strong play as the team’s center with 27 points (11-17 FG). Lu Dort had 18 points (5-10 FG) but nobody else in OKC could crack double-digits and provide enough support to the established starters to pick up another win.

Let’s take a deeper look into the major takeaways from this game.


The Mavericks Style Isn’t Suiting Luka Doncic

Luka Doncic is off to the worst start of his career since his rookie season, averaging 28.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 7.8 assists on 42.5% from the field in the 13 games he’s played so far. After looking like a ghost in a 16-point performance in their win over the San Antonio Spurs last night, the Mavs ruled him out of this game to manage the knee injury he’s been playing with since the start of the season.

Doncic is playing with a career-low (excl. rookie season) usage rate of 33.8 this season as Jason Kidd has pushed more offensive versatility on the franchise after acquiring talents like Klay Thompson and Naji Marshall in the summer instead of going all-in on Luka-ball. That has been an adjustment for the Mavs superstar, lacking the consistency that’s made him a perennial MVP candidate since his sophomore season.

Coach Kidd has empowered multiple Mavericks to play on-ball while having two scoring guards off the bench in Jaden Hardy and Spencer Dinwiddie to also lower Luka’s on-ball workload. That helped them tonight, as they used multiple options to keep attacking the Thunder as compared to the awkwardness the Mavs offense has had with Luka learning to play off-ball as the season goes on.

The style isn’t suiting Luka right now, but we know that a player of his caliber will likely adjust at a high level to these changes especially when he’s more comfortable with an injury-riddled body.


P.J. Washington Is Dallas’ 3rd-Best Player

P.J. Washington missed five straight games for the Mavericks with an ankle injury, a stretch over which the Mavs lost four straight games by one possession. Given how thin the margin of victory was in those games for other teams, they had to have been glad that P.J. wasn’t on the court as he could’ve easily made the difference to make sure those contests ended as Mavs wins. 

Washington had 27 points (7-13 FG), 17 rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in a complete performance tonight, stepping up in Luka’s absence to lead the team offensively. He averaged 17.7 points and 8.3 rebounds against OKC in the Playoffs, so this is an opponent he can have big games against. He’s also been the best defender on the Mavs this season, currently boasting an individual defensive rating of 108.1 compared to the Mavs’ 112.7 defensive rating as a unit.

Klay Thompson might be the theoretical third option for Dallas, but he’s shown a proneness to have bad games like tonight (5 PTS, 1-11 FG). Washington’s defensive output is of a far higher level and consistent with enough offensive versatility to have games like he did tonight. Washington proved that he’s the third star on the Mavs this season, with the team having a 6-3 record when he plays this season.


OKC Can Only Go So Far Without A Center

The OKC Thunder lost Chet Holmgren to a pelvis fracture last week while backup centers Isaiah Hartenstein and Jaylin Williams are also on the shelf with injuries. As a result, OKC has played the 6’5″ Jalen Williams as their center and had gone 4-0 until they ran into Dallas tonight. Daniel Gafford (11 PTS, 12 REB, 1 BLK) and Dereck Lively II (6 PTS, 5 REB, 2 BLK) made light work of the size difference and were constant interior threats that Williams was outmatched against.

Along with Shai’s individual brilliance and PJ Washington being the winning difference-maker for the Mavs, another theme from their 2024 Playoffs matchup that was seen tonight was the Mavs being able to bully OKC on the inside. Dallas outrebounded OKC 53-28, a difference of almost double.

OKC used their length and athleticism to grab 11 steals to the Mavs’ five and even outscored them in the paint 54-52, but the lack of a force that the Mavs had to worry with made their defensive assignments simpler. 

With no solution in the near future, the Thunder need to address their major hole in the middle to be favorites against other major contenders in the West over the course of the season.

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

Follow on Google News

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

TAGGED:Dallas Mavericks ArchiveJalen WilliamsKlay ThompsonKyrie IrvingOklahoma City Thunder ArchiveP.J. WashingtonShai Gilgeous-Alexander
Share This Article
Facebook Email Copy Link Print
ByIshaan Bhattacharya
Follow:
Ishaan Bhattacharya is a content manager for Fadeaway World from New Delhi, India. With his expertise in NBA content creation, Ishaan brings a wealth of experience to his role, contributing to the site's authority and reach within the basketball community. Over the last year, Ishaan has interviewed Ray Allen and Mark Tatum, while also covering the 2023 NBA Abu Dhabi Games which saw the Dallas Mavericks take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.Since joining Fadeaway World in March 2022, Ishaan Bhattacharya has become known for his unique perspective on the NBA. He consistently delivers this insight through his daily news coverage and detailed opinion pieces on the most significant topics in the league.Before his tenure at Fadeaway World, Ishaan worked in corporate communications, where he serviced prominent sports brands, including NBA India, Sports18, Amazon Prime Sports, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. This experience in strategic communications for leading sports entities has enhanced his ability to craft impactful narratives and connect with a global audience.A true MFFLer (Mavs Fan for Life, for the uninitiated), Ishaan is a massive fan of the Dallas Mavericks. When he is not upset about Jalen Brunson walking in free agency, you can see Ishaan as an avid gamer and content creator. His passion for basketball extends beyond the Mavericks, as evidenced by his thoughtfully curated NBA Mount Rushmore, featuring LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell—each representing distinct eras and bringing their unique qualities to the game.Featured On: ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Bleacher Report, Yahoo Sports, NBA, Fox Sports, The Spun
Previous Article Mavericks Fans React To Surviving Thunder Comeback For Incredible Win Without Luka Doncic
Next Article Instant Analysis: Knicks Win Dogfight Against Neighbouring Nets To Extend Winning Streak Over Rivals
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Newsletter

Stay up to date with our newsletter on the latest news, trends, ranking lists, and evergreen articles

Newsletter
Facebook X-twitter Instagram

You Might Also Like

Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27), center Nikola Jokic (15) and guard Christian Braun (0) in the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 6 of the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Denver Nuggets News & Analysis

Denver Nuggets Guard Declares They Have The Best Starting Five In The NBA

October 4, 2025
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Oklahoma City Thunder News & Analysis

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Says 2026 Title Run Was A “Step In The Right Direction”

October 3, 2025
Brooklyn, NY, USA; Caitlin Clark poses with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert after she is selected with the number one overall pick to the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft at Brooklyn Academy of Music. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
NBA News & Analysis

WNBA Commissioner Denies Making Controversial Caitlin Clark Comments

October 3, 2025
Brooklyn, New York, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) high fives head coach JJ Redick during the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Los Angeles Lakers News & Analysis

JJ Redick Provides Update On Luka Doncic After He Gets Ruled Out For Lakers’ First 2 Preseason Games

October 3, 2025

NBA - Fadeaway World

  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Boston Celtics
  • Brooklyn Nets
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Chicago Bulls
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Denver Nuggets
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Houston Rockets
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Los Angeles Clippers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • Miami Heat
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • New York Knicks
  • Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Orlando Magic
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • Sacramento Kings
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Utah Jazz
  • Washington Wizards

Pages

  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA Media
  • Exclusive NBA Interviews
  • NBA 2K News & Updates

© 2025 Fadeaway World @ All Rights Reserved

  • About Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World Authors
  • Editorial Team
  • Ethics Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Contact Us
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?