Mavericks and Thunder Renew Rivalry in NBA Cup Quarterfinals

The Dallas Mavericks, led by Luka Doncic, will face off against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the first round of the NBA Cup's knockout stage on Tuesday. Both players are among the league's elite, finishing in the top three for Most Valuable Player voting last season, with Gilgeous-Alexander taking second place and Doncic in third.

This matchup is a rematch of last season’s playoff series, where the Mavericks triumphed 4-2. Doncic has been particularly impressive since returning from a right wrist sprain that sidelined him for five games in late November. In the four games since his comeback, he’s averaging 31.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per game, including two consecutive triple-doubles.

In a recent victory over the Toronto Raptors, Doncic recorded 30 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists, moving into seventh place on the NBA’s all-time triple-double list with 79, surpassing legends like Wilt Chamberlain and James Harden.
“His skill set is incredible, and we always expect him to deliver triple-doubles,” said Dallas coach Jason Kidd. “He’s really hitting his stride right now.”


During last season's playoffs, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 32.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 7.3 assists, while Doncic posted 24.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 8.7 assists, achieving triple-doubles in the last three games of the series. This season, Gilgeous-Alexander has scored 30 or more points in six of his last seven games.

Oklahoma City comes into this game having won seven of their last eight, including three in a row, while the Mavericks are on a seven-game winning streak, making them the hottest team in the NBA.
This contest will also count towards the regular-season standings and marks the second meeting between the teams this season. Doncic missed their first encounter, a close 121-119 win for the Mavericks on November 17, due to a bruised right knee. In that game, P.J. Washington shined with 27 points and a career-high 17 rebounds.

Recent matchups between these teams have often been tightly contested, with six of the last nine regular-season games decided by single digits. The first meeting this season was one of the last for the Thunder without Isaiah Hartenstein, who missed the first 15 games of the season due to a hand fracture. Since returning, Hartenstein has averaged 11.8 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists, showcasing his passing ability.


“He's a phenomenal passer,” praised teammate Alex Caruso. “People overlook his skill set as a big man.”
For the Mavericks, Washington and Naji Marshall are questionable for Tuesday's game due to illness, while Jaden Hardy (right ankle sprain) and Maxi Kleber (illness) have been ruled out. Washington was the only one of the four to play in Saturday’s win against Toronto.