Many thought that the NBA Cup Quarterfinals match up between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks was more about between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic.
That is far from what SGA wanted it to be. To him, it is about making a statement. And he did made a statement by eliminating the Mavs.
There are multiple storylines that the media explored coming into the game. SGA vs Doncic when it comes to MVP race.
There is also the fact that it was the Mavs who eliminated the first-seed Thunder in last year’s playoffs. Dallas went on to become the best team in the West and played in the NBA finals and lost to the Boston Celtics.
It is the latter that motivates the Thunder franchise player who scored 39 points in the game. What he wants to feel at the end of the season is what Doncic and the Mavs felt in May.
“They came out of the West last year… I respect them. I use that opportunity to get better… That’s where I want to be at the end of the day, I want to come out of the West and win an NBA championship,” he told reporters during post-game conference.
Everyone on the Thunder appeared to be on the same page at Paycom center as all members of the starting five scored in double digits.
Jalen Williams had 18 while Isaiah Hartenstein had 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on facing Luka Doncic
Doncic, who had 37 points in his last game before the Thunder, only managed to put up 16 points, a far cry from his season average of 28.7 points per game. He was also limited to just five assists.
SGA now has Doncic’s number this season after this encounter but the former said facing off with the Slovenian star is a challenge he will always rise to.
Lu Dort on facing Luka Doncic: “It’s always respect. Anytime we see each other it’s a challenge. We always go out against each other and compete. He’s a helluva player.”
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) December 11, 2024
“It’s always respect. Anytime we see each other it’s a challenge. We always go out against each other and compete. He’s a helluva player.”
There is a chance that this two will meet again in the 2025 playoffs.
Thunder now awaits the winner of the match up between the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets.
For those who want to see more of SGA vs Luka, the pair will face each other again on January 18 and January 24 next year.
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