11:17 PM on May 7, 2024 CDT
Early struggles: See photos from Mavericks' Game 1 meeting with Thunder in Western Conference semifinals
[50/50] Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (from left), guard Luka Doncic, center Daniel Gafford and center Dereck Lively II watch from the bench during the second half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[1/50] Dallas Mavericks fans reach out to guard Luka Doncic as he takes the court to warm up before Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[2/50] PJAE sings the national anthem before Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series between the Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[3/50] Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (left) high fives guard Dante Exum before Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[4/50] Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is introduced before Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[5/50] Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (21) goes up for the opening tipoff against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[6/50] Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) scores past Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (21) during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.
(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[7/50] Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) struggles for a loose ball against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins (21) and guard Luguentz Dort (5) as guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) looks on during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[8/50] Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) dunks the ball past Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[9/50] Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) drives to the basket as Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) defends during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[10/50] Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd (right) watches from the bench with assistant coach Sean Sweeney during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[11/50] Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) steals the ball from Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[12/50] Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[13/50] Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) passes around Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[14/50] Referee Ben Taylor steps between Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) and fan Juan Guerra as guard Luka Doncic looks on during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City. The incident led to a warning from the NBA and a near ejection for Guerra.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[15/50] Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) is grabs his left lower leg after a play during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[16/50] Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives to the basket past Dallas Mavericks guard Josh Green (8) and forward Derrick Jones Jr. (55) during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[17/50] Oklahoma City Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins (21) celebrates a 3-pointer during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[18/50] Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) scores over Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (21) during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[19/50] Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) dunks the ball past Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (21) during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.
(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[20/50] Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) loses the ball as Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (25) and guard Luka Doncic (77) defend during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[21/50] Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault calls in a play as Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) runs down the court during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[22/50] Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (25) fights for a rebound with Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[23/50] Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) is fouled by Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II (2) during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[24/50] Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving checks into the game during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[25/50] Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II (2) tumbles to the floor after a collision with Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.
(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[26/50] Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II (2) tumbles to the floor after a collision with Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.
(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[27/50] Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II (2) tumbles to the floor after a collision with Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.
(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[28/50] Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots over Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[29/50] Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives around Dallas Mavericks forward Derrick Jones Jr. (55) during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[30/50] Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) gets a hans on a shot by Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (21) during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[31/50] Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) struggles for a loose ball against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins (21) and guard Luguentz Dort (5) as guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) looks on during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[32/50] Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) scores past Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (21) and guard Luka Doncic (77) during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[33/50] Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (21) defends a shot by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.
(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[34/50] Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) rubs his eye after being fouled during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[35/50] Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots over Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (21) during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[36/50] Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives to the basket between Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77), center Daniel Gafford (21), forward P.J. Washington (25) and guard Kyrie Irving (11) during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[37/50] Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylin Williams (6) laughs with Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (21) during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[38/50] Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) tries to drive between Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) and guard Kyrie Irving (11) during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[39/50] Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) reaches for the ball as Dallas Mavericks forward Derrick Jones Jr. (55) defends during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[40/50] Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (21) shoots past Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[41/50] Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) scoops up the ball as guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) knocks it away from Dallas Mavericks forward Derrick Jones Jr. (55) during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[42/50] Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) passes the ball as Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77), forward Derrick Jones Jr. (55) and center Daniel Gafford (21) defend during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[43/50] Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) drives to the basket against Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[44/50] Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) loses the ball as Dallas Mavericks forward Derrick Jones Jr. (55) defends during the second half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[45/50] Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) celebrates with forward Jalen Williams (8) after a 3-pointer during the second half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[46/50] Oklahoma City Thunder fans try to distract a free throw by Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic during the second half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[47/50] Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) loses the ball as he tries to drive between Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) and forward Jalen Williams (8) during the second half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[48/50] Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic and guard Kyrie Irving sit on the bench during the second half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[49/50] Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) celebrates with forward Jalen Williams (8) after a 3-pointer during the second half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[50/50] Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (from left), guard Luka Doncic, center Daniel Gafford and center Dereck Lively II watch from the bench during the second half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
[1/50] Dallas Mavericks fans reach out to guard Luka Doncic as he takes the court to warm up before Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
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