Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 39 points to help the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Dallas Mavericks 118-104 on Tuesday night in the Western Conference quarterfinals of the NBA Cup.
Oklahoma City will face either the Warriors or the Rockets in Las Vegas on Saturday, with the winner moving on to the championship game of the in-season tournament. Golden State and Houston will play each other in the semifinals on Wednesday.
The Thunder’s victory ended Dallas’ seven-game winning streak and was their fourth straight win.
Gilgeous-Alexander contributed heavily from the outside, making five of Oklahoma City’s season-high 20 3-pointers (the team attempted 50). He also grabbed eight rebounds and had five assists.
Defense played a key role for the Thunder, who scored 36 points from 19 Mavericks turnovers. Oklahoma City also limited Dallas stars Luka Doncic (16 points on 5-of-15 shooting) and Kyrie Irving (17 points on 7-of-14 shooting).
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and James Harden in the 2nd half
Doncic grabbed 11 rebounds, while Klay Thompson and Naji Marshall each scored 19 points for the Mavericks.
The Thunder took control in the third quarter, turning a three-point halftime lead into a 90-73 advantage going into the final 12 minutes. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 16 points in the third quarter, including nine points during a 13-2 run to start the period.
It was a 20-point game early in the fourth, with the Thunder leading 97-77 after a hook shot from Jalen Williams with 10:34 remaining.
Dallas responded with back-to-back 3-pointers from Irving as part of a 10-0 run, cutting the lead to 97-87. Later, the Mavericks reduced the deficit to 100-92 thanks to a 3-pointer from Olivier-Maxence Prosper with 7:50 left.
However, Oklahoma City scored the next 11 points to seal the win.
Williams added 18 points for the Thunder, who also got 11 points each from Luguentz Dort and Cason Wallace.
Oklahoma City led 57-54 at halftime. Doncic struggled in the first half, scoring only two points on 1-of-7 shooting.