All season long, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder have been quietly excelling in clutch situations. Monday night was no different, and their performance might have just saved their season.
In a nail-biter of a game that saw the Thunder pulling off a 100-96 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City tied up the series 2-2. This win sets the stage for an exciting Game 5 back home in Oklahoma City.
Gilgeous-Alexander dominated the fourth quarter after the Thunder offense struggled throughout the night. With some crucial support from Jalen Williams and a perfect performance at the free-throw line, OKC sealed the deal. Unlike Dallas, who missed key free throws late in the game, the Thunder's precision was the difference-maker.
Here’s a snapshot of the clutch moments in the fourth quarter:
- OKC went 7-of-7 from the free-throw line, while Dallas managed only 6-of-11 (54.5%).
- The Thunder hit 4-of-8 from beyond the arc, whereas Dallas only converted 1-of-5.
- Oklahoma City capitalized on second-chance opportunities, going 2-of-4 from five points out.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault praised Gilgeous-Alexander's leadership, saying, "[Gilgeous-Alexander] took that thing by the horns there late." Indeed, SGA’s command of the game down the stretch was a sight to behold.
For the Mavericks, the missed free throws will haunt them. They were a dismal 12-of-23 from the stripe, with Luka Doncic particularly struggling. He scored just 18 points on 6-of-20 shooting and missed a crucial free throw with 10.1 seconds left that could have tied the game. "We've just got to work on our free throws. We only shot 52%. It's unacceptable," Doncic admitted postgame.
Dallas’ defense initially looked like it would carry them to victory. The Thunder shot a woeful 1-of-11 from 3-point range in the first half and just 36% overall in the paint. Even in the restricted area, they only managed 40%. Dallas was shutting down OKC’s usual offensive plays, forcing them into difficult, contested shots. Yet, despite this defensive prowess, it was Oklahoma City's resilience and clutch performance that turned the tide.
This game was a "how did that happen" moment, showcasing how quickly a series can shift. With the series now tied and momentum on their side, the Thunder head into Game 5 with renewed confidence and a chance to take the lead at home.
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