The Dallas Mavericks have punched their ticket to the Western Conference Finals after rallying past the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder, 117-116, in Game 6 of their round 2 series at the American Airlines Center on Sunday, May 19 (PHL).
PJ Washington, the unsung hero of Dallas' Playoff run, sank the game-winning free throws with 2.5 seconds remaining to seal the victory for the 5th-seed Mavericks.
Dallas will face either the defending champion Denver Nuggets or the Minnesota Timberwolves, who have a deciding Game 7 in their series on Monday.
Luka Doncic led the Mavericks with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. Kyrie Irving and Derrick Jones Jr. each added 22 points, and Dereck Lively scored 12 off the bench for the Mavericks.
Washington, meanwhile, scored all nine of his points in the fourth quarter.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 36 points for Oklahoma City, who squandered a 17-point lead early in the third quarter as Dallas mounted a comeback in front of a passionate home crowd.
Lively's dunk tied the game at 97-97 midway through the fourth quarter. The Thunder surged ahead again, but Dallas caught up, tying it at 105-105 with a three-pointer from Washington with 4:11 remaining.
Washington nailed a three-pointer with 2:01 left in regulation, putting Dallas ahead 113-110. Jones followed with a turnaround jumper at the 1:11 mark, extending the Mavericks' lead to five points.
Gilgeous-Alexander responded with a three-pointer with 1:05 remaining, narrowing Oklahoma City's deficit to two points.
DJJ drills the jumper to put the Mavs up 5.
— NBA (@NBA) May 19, 2024
SGA answers with a triple on the other end.@okcthunder 113@dallasmavs 115
27 seconds remaining on ABC pic.twitter.com/JEgvh5RkaY
Washington was then called for a foul before the ball was inbounded with 27 seconds left, sending Gilgeous-Alexander to the line where he made one free throw.
Retaining possession, SGA drove the lane and lofted a high pass to Chet Holmgren, who dunked it for a 116-115 Thunder lead with 20.4 seconds left.
However, Washington was fouled by Gilgeous-Alexander on a three-point attempt in the corner. Oklahoma City challenged the call, but it was upheld.
Washington made the first two free throws and deliberately missed the third. The Thunder secured the rebound but failed to score, leading to the series win.
P.J. Washington clutch gene 🧬
— NBA (@NBA) May 19, 2024
His 2 free-throws secure the Game 6 win... sending the @dallasmavs to the Western Conference Finals! pic.twitter.com/UgwplfehKe
