After a sluggish start and a double-digit halftime deficit, the Oklahoma City Thunder roared back in the second half on Wednesday night to pull off a stunning 112-106 comeback win over the Dallas Mavericks, evening the series at 1-1 and sending a clear message: the young Thunder aren’t going down quietly.
Playing in front of a raucous home crowd at Paycom Center, the Thunder were out of sync early, struggling to contain Luka Dončić and failing to find a rhythm on offense. But a tale of two halves unfolded, and by the time the final buzzer sounded, it was Oklahoma City’s energy, defense, and relentless pace that stole the show.
Halftime Adjustments Spark the Turnaround
Down 61-48 at the break, head coach Mark Daigneault made several key adjustments that flipped the script. First, he tightened the rotation, leaning heavily on his core group to generate momentum. Second, the Thunder turned up their defensive pressure, blitzing Dončić on pick-and-rolls and forcing the ball out of his hands.
The result was immediate. OKC opened the third quarter on a 14-2 run, cutting the deficit to just one within four minutes. The crowd erupted, and suddenly, the Thunder looked like the team that had dominated the regular season with their youth and explosiveness.
“We just had to settle in and play our game,” said Daigneault postgame. “They punched first, but our guys responded with toughness and poise.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Leads the Charge
As he’s done all season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put the team on his back when it mattered most. The All-NBA guard finished with 33 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds, and was instrumental in the second-half turnaround. Whether it was slicing through the lane for smooth finishes or hitting clutch mid-range jumpers, SGA was the engine of OKC’s offense.
“He’s built for moments like this,” teammate Jalen Williams said. “No panic, just poise. That’s our leader.”
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 18 of his 33 in the second half, including a go-ahead jumper with just over two minutes to play that gave the Thunder their first lead since the opening quarter.
Role Players Rise to the Occasion
While SGA led the way, the Thunder’s supporting cast stepped up in a big way. Rookie sensation Chet Holmgren held his own against Dallas’ physical frontcourt, chipping in 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks. His presence in the paint was vital in deterring drives and contesting shots late.
Jalen Williams added 19 points and brought intensity on both ends, while Isaiah Joe hit three critical three-pointers in the fourth quarter that helped swing the momentum fully in Oklahoma City’s favor.
Meanwhile, the Thunder’s bench outscored the Mavericks’ second unit 28-17, a key difference-maker in a tightly contested battle.
Dallas Falters Late
For Dallas, it was a game of missed opportunities. Dončić tallied 30 points, 10 assists, and 8 rebounds, but was noticeably slowed by OKC’s physicality and double-teams in the second half. Kyrie Irving struggled with efficiency, scoring just 18 points on 6-of-17 shooting, and no other Mavericks player reached double digits in the second half.
“We let one get away,” said Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd. “We stopped being aggressive, and they took full advantage.”
The Mavericks, who had controlled the tempo early, were outscored 64-45 in the second half and looked fatigued as the Thunder pushed the pace.
Series Shifts with Momentum in OKC’s Favor
With the series tied 1-1, the next two games will shift to Dallas, where the Mavericks will look to regain control. But the Thunder’s comeback victory sends a strong message—not only can they take a punch, but they’re more than capable of swinging back.
This young, fearless OKC squad continues to impress with their maturity, execution, and refusal to back down. If Game 2 was any indication, this series is just heating up.
