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Full coverage: Mavericks outlast Thunder in Game 6 at AAC, keep postseason run alive

The Mavericks held on late to eliminate the top-seeded Thunder in Game 6 at American Airlines Center.

The postseason action continues.

The Dallas Mavericks have booked their spot in the Western Conference finals, eliminating the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in six games. Dallas found its footing after facing a first-half deficit, closing out Game 6 by a 117-116 score. Find live coverage and analysis from our writers and photographers on scene at American Airlines Center.

Game stories

- 5 thoughts: Mavericks close out Thunder in Game 6, advance to Western Conference finals

- Mavericks’ improbable comeback vs. Thunder puts Dallas’ Titletown dreams in view

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- Dirk Nowitzki, Magic Johnson and the nation react to Mavs’ Game 6 elimination of Thunder

- Mavericks barely led in Game 6 vs. Thunder. How did they complete remarkable comeback?

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- Mavericks’ Dereck Lively II draws comparisons to NBA icons, showcasing sky-high potential

- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Mark Daigneault unpack late-game foul on Mavs’ P.J. Washington

Game photos

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Game updates

- FINAL: Mavericks 117, Thunder 116 (Dallas wins series, 4-2)

Dallas overcomes an early deficit and becomes the first team to book its spot in this year’s Western Conference finals. Led by late pushes from Kyrie Irving, Luka Doncic, Dereck Lively II and P.J. Washington, Dallas found the response it needed to close out the series.

- 0:27 left in the fourth: P.J. Washington has stepped up late in the game, drilling key 3-pointers to boost the energy at AAC. With OKC trailing by two points, Washington was called for a foul on an in-bound pass. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hit one free throw and the Thunder keeps possession. Mavs lead 115-114.

- 4:43 left in the fourth: Dereck Lively II is showing up in a major way for the Mavericks. The rookie has pulled in some pivotal rebounds and finished a tough contested shot over Chet Holmgren to cut the OKC lead to two points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander responded with a midrange bucket to once again extend OKC’s advantage.

Lively has scored 11 points off the bench, giving Dallas five double-digit scorers. OKC leads 105-101.

- 7:22 left in the fourth: Fourth-quarter Kyrie has arrived.

After a pivotal Dereck Lively II rebound, Irving drilled a 3-pointer to cut OKC’s lead to two points. Irving is up to 19 points in the game, hitting 3 of 7 3-point attempts. The Thunder are playing without a key defensive presence in Lu Dort, who has five fouls. The Mavs trail 97-95.

- End of third quarter: Derrick Jones Jr. is responding for the Mavericks. The veteran forward drained a 3-pointer from the right corner as time expired in the third, cutting the deficit to seven points. He has 17 points, scoring 11 of those after the halftime break.

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Luka Doncic is Dallas’ leading scorer with 25 points on 7-of-10 shooting, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads OKC with 28. The Thunder holds a 90-83 lead.

- 0:45 left in the third: The Thunder had gone cold from the field, leading to a quick scoring burst from Dallas. With the OKC lead cut to four points, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander found his shooting touch. He hit three consecutive shots to add to the Thunder’s 90-78 lead.

- 6:44 left in the third: The Mavericks are going to need some big shots to mount a comeback. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are providing them, knocking down two consecutive 3-pointers to spark a 9-0 Dallas scoring run.

The Mavericks trail 77-69.

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- End of second quarter: The Thunder responded in a huge way to end the first half. After Dallas took its first lead of the matchup, OKC outscored the Mavs 24-6 to go into the break with a double-digit advantage.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads OKC with 21 points, while Luka Doncic leads the Mavs with 15. The Mavericks have dealt with a few issues this game, turning the ball over 11 times. The Thunder leads 64-48.

- 4:43 left in second: Dallas has taken its first lead after a whirlwind stretch. After officials reviewed a possible flagrant foul on Lu Dort, Luka Doncic helped the Mavs steal some momentum with a deep 3-pointer. He has 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting. Dallas leads 42-40.

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- 7:14 left in second: The Mavericks are starting to find their footing. After a big block from Daniel Gafford on Lu Dort, Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic delivered some quick baskets to cut into OKC’s lead. Derrick Jones Jr. quickly followed that up with a soaring dunk.

The Thunder leads 38-34.

- End of first quarter: The Mavericks face a seven-point deficit as the first quarter comes to a close.

It appeared Dallas was slowly regaining control of the game after Jaden Hardy was fouled while scoring a heavily-contested driving layup. OKC took advantage of a missed free throw from Hardy, which led to a buzzer-beating, deep 3-pointer from Jalen Williams. OKC leads 30-23.

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- 4:31 left in first quarter: Game 6 has featured some early momentum swings. The Thunder had the hot hand early, making all of their first six shot attempts. Dallas responded with an 8-0 scoring run.

Both teams are pushing the pace early and are keeping things close. OKC leads 20-19.

- Game 6 is underway at American Airlines Center.

Pregame updates

Mavericks starters: Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Derrick Jones Jr., P.J. Washington, Daniel Gafford

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Thunder starters: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Isaiah Joe, Lu Dort, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren

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Pregame reading

Dallas Mavericks have figured out the key to beating Thunder: a smiling Luka Doncic

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If Mavericks get past OKC, might Maxi Kleber return? Jason Kidd: ‘There is a possibility’

Watch: 1,000 drones light the Dallas sky ahead of Mavericks-Thunder Game 6

Mavericks leaning into closeout game experience approaching decisive Game 6 vs. Thunder

Kyrie Irving on why Mavericks vs. Thunder is ‘one of the hardest series’ he’s played

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