“Shai is amazing”: Dallas Mavericks superstar heaps praise on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for 35-point final stand
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s matchup against Luka Doncic in the Western Conference semifinals was one of the most anticipated showdowns in the 2024 NBA Playoffs. Both franchise cornerstones play point guards and were finalists in the MVP race that eventually went to Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic. Many predicted that the winner of the battle between “SGA” and “Luka Legend” would decide which team would advance to the conference finals.
The duel did not disappoint as both All-NBA point guards had an impressive series. In Game 6, the Thunder built a 17-point lead in the third quarter but still lost 117-116 to the Mavericks in Dallas. Doncic’s poise and all-around brilliance helped the fifth-seeded Mavs upset the top-ranked team in the West.
After the game, Cassidy Hubbarth asked Luka Doncic about how this year’s conference finals will be different for him and the Mavericks. Dallas reached the same stage in 2022 but was sent home by the eventual champion Golden State Warriors. Midway through his answer, Doncic had this to say about the Thunder and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander:
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“Big respect to OKC, they have an amazing team. They’re very young but they seem very experienced. Obviously, Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander] is amazing with the way he plays.”
“SGA” was indeed amazing and had it not been for the Mavericks’ playoff-tested roster, the Canadian might have led the Thunder to the next stage. Gilgeous-Alexander led OKC’s early charge and was the main reason Dallas couldn’t pull away late. He had eight points and two assists below the five-minute mark of the fourth quarter.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 17-foot pull-up jumper gave the OKC Thunder a 105-101 lead. His step-back tied it at 110-110 and his 3-pointer cut the Mavericks’ lead to 115-113. Oklahoma’s franchise player also tossed the lob to Chet Holmgren that gave the Thunder their final taste of the lead 116-115.
However, “SGA” was called for a foul on P.J. Washington’s 3-point attempt with 2.1 seconds left in the game. Washington made both before intentionally missing the third as the Dallas Mavericks eked out a 117-116 decision. Had Gilgeous-Alexander avoided the foul and Washington missed, a Game 7 would have to be played back in Oklahoma.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic could battle in the playoffs for years
Neither the OKC Thunder nor the Dallas Mavericks will let go of their respective franchise players. And as both teams are built well for at least the next few years, Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be playoff staples.
Oklahoma isn’t going anywhere next season and might be even stronger than ever following their heartbreaking loss at the hands of the Mavericks. Mark Cuban should also be determined to keep his roster considering what it has accomplished after missing even the play-in tournament last year.
The 2025 playoffs could have another Luka Doncic versus Shai Gilgeous-Alexander duel. After this year’s eye-popping battles, basketball fans would certainly look forward to several more encounters between the two superstars.