Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals between the Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder was a thriller, and PJ Washington, once again, was the unlikely hero. The Mavericks found themselves down by as many as 17 in the second half and a Game 7 looked certain, but the home team went on a flurry in the 4th quarter to steal the 117-116 victory and advance to the Western Conference Finals. And of course, both former Kentucky stars were the two central figures in the final play of the game.
Down by one as seconds ticked down, PJ Washington got the ball in the corner and went up to attempt a game-winning 3, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander fouled his former Wildcat teammate on the shot. The Thunder challenged the play, and at first glance, it looked like SGA palmed all ball, but another angle showed Shai got him on the arm on his follow-through. Gilgeous-Alexander would later say, “I shouldn’t have fouled him,” but indicated he wouldn’t watch the replay, likely out of disgust.
With 2.5 seconds left and the game on the line, PJ Washington calmly stepped to the line and sank the first two free throws before missing the third on purpose. A last-second heave stood no chance and Thunder advanced.
Afterward, the mean mugs were flowing.
Washington has been a force all series but didn’t score in Game 6 until the 4th quarter, where he poured in all nine of his points, including multiple clutch 3s and free throws.
As for Shai Gilgoeus-Alexander, the NBA MVP runner-up’s season ends in disappointment. He did what he could to lead his young squad to a win, scoring a game-high 36 points, dishing out eight assists, and coming up with two blocks, but he needed one more rejection at the end of the game and did not get the favorable whistle.
The Mavericks will now take on the winner of the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves who play in a series-deciding Game 7 later today.
BBNBA Stats for 4/18/2024
Today in the NBA Playoff features two Game 7s
Eastern Conference Semis | Game 4 | BOS leads 2-1
3:30 (ABC): Pacers (Jackson) @ Knicks (Randle: out)
Western Conference Semis | Game 4 | DAL leads 2-1
8:00 (TNT): Timberwolves (Towns) @ Nuggets (Murray)
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