Oklahoma City lost 120-96 in Dallas, its first loss of the season, after the Mavericks pulled away in the second half and led by as many as 27. Ajay Mitchell scored 29 on efficient shooting, while the rest of a short rotation could not keep up with Cooper Flagg and a deeper Dallas bench.
Where the Game Turned
The first half was competitive, with six lead changes and eight ties. The Thunder trailed only 65-59 at the break and never led by more than three. Dallas went on an 11-0 run early in the third, from 61-65 to 61-76, and Mark Daigneault used a timeout at 61-74. Oklahoma City answered with an 8-0 run that cut it to 78-71 and made Dusty May call time. That was the last real push. Dallas won the third 29-22 and the fourth 26-15, and a 12-0 run late in the game took the score from 108-93 to 120-93. Mara, Stirtz, Barnhizer, McCain and Dix played the final five minutes.
Grading the Box Score
Mitchell: A. He scored 29 on 12-of-20 shooting with two steals, added 10 of the team's 15 fourth-quarter points, and was one of only two Thunder players to finish positive. Hartenstein: B. He had 10 points and 14 rebounds on 4-of-6 shooting, though he still finished at -12. Gilgeous-Alexander: C. He scored 21 but shot 7-of-19, went 1-of-6 from deep and finished -21. McCain: D. He shot 3-of-13, missed all six threes and committed three turnovers. On the other side, Flagg had 26 points and eight assists with no turnovers, Irving was +25, and Risacher went 5-of-6 off the bench.
What It Costs the Thunder
The standings cost is small. At 4-1, Oklahoma City is fifth, level with sixth-place Dallas at 3-2 and two games clear of 11th. The schedule is the bigger test. After three days off, the Thunder play at Houston on Oct. 31, face Cleveland on Nov. 2 and Nov. 4, then visit Memphis on Nov. 6. The most useful news came off the court: Holmgren was upgraded from out with a right knee issue and is targeting Oct. 31. Caruso, Topic and Sorber all have Nov. 4 targets. For now the rookies are getting real minutes. Mara blocked two shots, finished at -8 and had three turnovers. Stirtz handed out three assists without a turnover in 28 minutes. With payroll at $214.8M, above the first apron, help for the rotation has to come from players returning, not from trades.
Why did the Thunder lose to the Mavericks?
Dallas pulled away after halftime with an 11-0 run in the third quarter and a 12-0 run in the fourth. Oklahoma City's bench scored only 19 points, and only Mitchell and Jaylin Williams finished with a positive plus-minus.
When is Chet Holmgren expected back for the Thunder?
Holmgren has been upgraded from out with a right knee issue, and his target return is Oct. 31 at Houston. Caruso, Topic and Sorber are all targeting Nov. 4.
