Dallas Mavericks vs OKC Thunder Game 4 Full Highlights | 2024: OKC Stages Late Rally to Even Series

The Western Conference Semifinals between the Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder took an exciting turn in Game 4. Despite leading by as many as 14 points and controlling most of the game, the Mavericks were unable to close it out. The Thunder staged a fourth-quarter rally, pulling off a 100-96 victory to even the series at two games apiece.

Key Takeaways from Game 4

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Superhero Performance

SGA’s Heroics: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) carried the Thunder to victory. He scored a playoff career-high 34 points, sinking methodical midrange jumpers down the stretch. In the final six minutes, SGA either scored or assisted on 18 of OKC’s last 22 points. His performance was nothing short of superstar material ¹.

2. Luka Doncic’s Struggles

Luka’s Tough Night: Despite recording a triple-double (18 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists), Luka Doncic had a challenging game. The Thunder frustrated him with physical defense and multiple defenders tracking his every move. Doncic struggled to create consistent offense and finished with more turnovers (7) than made shots (6). His missed free throw in the closing seconds could have sent the game to overtime ¹.

3. Free Throws Make the Difference

OKC’s Edge at the Line: The Mavericks shut down the Thunder at the rim, with impressive shot-blocking performances from Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively, and Derrick Jones Jr. Dallas also outscored OKC in the paint and beyond the arc. However, the Thunder’s success at the free-throw line made all the difference. They converted 23-of-24 free throws, while the Mavericks struggled, making only 12-of-23. OKC’s efficiency from the stripe secured their Game 4 win ¹.