It happened in May 2024. Dallas. The air was thick with that humid Texas heat, and the American Airlines Center was vibrating. Most folks looking back at the 2024 Western Conference Semifinals tend to lump the whole series into one "Luka and Kyrie" highlight reel. But if you really want to understand why the Thunder ultimately went home, you have to look at OKC Thunder Game 3.
It was a mess. A beautiful, gritty, sometimes ugly mess of a basketball game.
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The final score was 105-101 in favor of the Mavericks. That four-point gap felt like a mile. Going into that Saturday afternoon, the series was tied 1-1. The Thunder were the top seed, the "young guns" who weren't supposed to know they were too young to win yet. Dallas? They were the grizzled veterans, or at least they felt like it with Kyrie Irving and a hobbled Luka Doncic.
The PJ Washington Problem
Honestly, nobody expected PJ Washington to be the ghost that haunted OKC all afternoon. We talk about stars, right? We talk about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander—who was incredible, by the way, dropping 31 points and a playoff career-high 5 blocks. But Washington was the one who broke the game open.
He finished with 27 points.
For the second game in a row.
OKC’s defensive scheme was basically "Make anyone but Luka beat us." Well, PJ Washington took that personally. He hit five triples. Every time the Thunder tried to double-team Luka or pinch the paint, Washington was just... there. Standing in the corner. Waiting.
A Gritty Luka and the Physical Toll
Luka Doncic looked like he’d been in a car wreck. He was dealing with a sprained right knee and a sore left ankle. You could see him grimacing after almost every hard drive. He finished with 22 points and 15 rebounds, but it wasn't the usual "Luka Magic" where he’s laughing and hitting step-back threes from the logo. This was work.
The physicality of OKC Thunder Game 3 was off the charts. Lu Dort was attached to Luka’s hip like a cheap suit. It was the "Dorture Chamber" in full effect. But here’s the thing—Dallas out-rebounded the Thunder 48-41. That was the quiet killer.
Why the Boards Mattered
- Dallas generated second-chance points that sucked the life out of OKC runs.
- Dereck Lively II, the rookie, was a menace on the glass.
- The Thunder's small-ball lineups got exposed when Chet Holmgren had to help on drives.
Chet had 13 points and 8 boards, but he was often the lone line of defense against a Dallas team that was just... bigger.
The Hack-a-Lively Strategy
Mark Daigneault is a smart coach. He's arguably one of the best in the league at mid-game adjustments. Late in the fourth, he decided to intentionally foul Dereck Lively II.
It's a gamble. It's boring to watch.
But it usually works.
Except this time, it didn't. The rookie stepped up to the line and knocked down enough free throws to keep the Thunder at arm's length. It was a psychological blow. When you try to exploit a weakness and the guy answers the call, the momentum shifts.
Kyrie Irving: The Closer
Kyrie didn't do much for the first three quarters. He was quiet. Patient. Then the fourth quarter hit and he turned into the "Uncle Drew" we all know. He scored 14 of his 22 points in the final frame.
There was this one floater—left-handed, high off the glass—that basically sealed the deal. It was a shot only about three people on the planet can make.
What Really Happened with the Thunder Offense?
Besides SGA, the scoring was... spotty. Jalen Williams had 16 points but struggled with a nagging ankle issue of his own. Isaiah Joe came off the bench and provided a spark with 13 points, but the flow just wasn't there.
The Thunder looked like a team trying to find their rhythm in a rock fight. They were used to fast breaks and crisp passing. Dallas turned it into a half-court grind.
The Turning Point
OKC actually had a 10-point lead early in the third quarter. They went on a 13-0 run and it looked like they were going to run away with it. Then they just... stopped. Turnovers started creeping in. Poor shot selection followed.
By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, Dallas had reclaimed the lead and the crowd was deafening.
Actionable Insights for the Future
Looking back at OKC Thunder Game 3, there are a few things that the team (and fans) learned that still apply today.
- Size isn't optional: You can be as fast and skilled as you want, but in the playoffs, you need someone who can bang in the paint. The Thunder have addressed this recently by adding more frontcourt depth, but Game 3 was the blueprint for why they needed it.
- The "Other Guys" win series: You know Shai will get his 30. You know the other team's star will get theirs. The game is won or lost by the PJ Washingtons and Dereck Livelys of the world.
- Health is a skill: Jalen Williams being banged up changed the geometry of the OKC offense. Depth is great, but having your core healthy in May is the only way to win a ring.
The Thunder eventually lost the series in six games. Many people point to the Game 6 heartbreak, but the real damage was done in Game 3. It was the moment Dallas realized they could win even if Luka wasn't 100%, and it was the moment OKC realized that being the #1 seed doesn't give you any extra points when the whistles get tighter.
If you're tracking the development of this current Thunder squad, remember that afternoon in Dallas. It was a masterclass in playoff intensity and a harsh lesson for a young team that is now much, much better because of it.