The takeaway from Saturday's NBA playoffs: The Mavericks outlast the Thunder and reach the West finals

The Dallas Mavericks staged a thrilling fourth-quarter comeback to defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder 117-116 in Game 6 and win their Western Conference semifinal series.

Dallas won with two free throws from PJ Washington after the forward was fouled on a 3-pointer by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with 2.5 seconds left in the game. The first goal tied the game, the second goal gave Washington the lead, and the third goal was intentionally missed to start the clock. The Thunder let the ball fly all over the field, allowing the Mavericks to advance to the West finals for the second time in three seasons.

PJ Washington clutch gene 🧬

His 2 free throws secure the win in Game 6…and send the @dallasmavs to the Western Conference Finals! pic.twitter.com/UgwpfehKe

– NBA (@NBA) May 19, 2024

Washington blossomed late in the fourth quarter after struggling for most of the game, scoring all nine points in the final four minutes, including two three-pointers. His strong finish capped strong performances from Luka Dončić (29 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds), Kyrie Irving (22 points) and Derrick Jones Jr. (22 points), all three of whom hit four 3-pointers Piece.

Away from the Dallas bench, Dereck Lively II provided game-changing energy, particularly on the offensive side. He finished the game with 12 points and 15 rebounds in 29 minutes, and the team scored a respectable plus-25 with him on the court.

As has been the case throughout the series, Thunder star Gilgeous-Alexander carried the team offensively but didn't get enough support. He finished the game with 36 points and eight assists, but key supporting cast members Chet Holmgren and Lu Dort struggled with foul trouble throughout the game.

Holmgren finished his rookie season with a strong final quarter, throwing in what was then considered the go-ahead ball in the final minute. However, his deficiencies on the boards were a major reason Oklahoma City was blown out 47-31.

Dallas will face the winner of the three-game tie series between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets, with Game 7 taking place on Sunday.

Mavericks 117, Thunder 116

Series: Dallas wins 4-2

These Mavericks can win it all

The Dallas Mavericks and Luka Dončić reach the conference finals for the second time in three years.

Game 6 had it all: overcoming big deficits, taking and losing late leads, stubborn defense in the final seconds, superstars and role players alike making hugely important plays. It was a career performance from the incredibly impressive Dereck Lively II. It took 22 points from Derrick Jones Jr. It took game-winning free throws from PJ Washington. Kyrie Irving, Doncic's new co-star, endured what he said was “probably” the toughest series he's ever played.

All players mentioned were not in Dallas the last time Dončić led that team to the conference finals in 2022. The squad has completely changed, with Dončić as the common denominator. He is the face of this new generation, a title he may not hold alone but to which he has as much right as anyone else. He is a generational player who is ready for the moment – any moment – including this one.

The Nuggets or the Timberwolves await you. Dallas may not be the favorite against these teams, but they won't feel that way. Under Dončić's leadership, it's easy to feel like they can overcome any challenge. — Tim Cato, Mavericks beat writer

Now what about the thunder?

The Thunder's dream season of 57 wins reached its end on Saturday evening in Dallas. They blew a 16-point lead in the second half and made a fatal mistake in the final seconds of Game 6. Gilgeous-Alexander fouled Washington on a corner 3, and coach Mark Daigneault thought it was momentous and close enough to challenge, and risked his last break. The call was granted. Washington hit two free throws to take a lead, and the Thunder didn't have a timeout, so they missed a true final possession.

Given their youth, this was a reasonable exit spot for the Thunder – deep in the second round of their first playoff run together. They had just two playoff points total among anyone over 25. This core will be back. But questions will inevitably arise this offseason. The Thunder, armed with a war chest full of assets and cap space, appear to be in need of an upgrade at the fifth spot in their starting lineup.

Josh Giddey was completely minimized in the Dallas series due to the Mavericks' pack-the-paint strategy. Giddey played 17, 11, 13, 12, 12 and 11 minutes in the series and lost his starting spot in Game 5. In his place, Isaiah Joe didn't shoot well enough.

But it was the offensive struggles of Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren that ultimately hurt more. Neither of Gilgeous-Alexander's top two teammates had more than 22 points in any of the six games. — Anthony Slater, NBA writer

Sunday schedule

Required reading

(Photo: Sam Hodde/Getty Images)