Introduction
There’s something special about a Dallas Mavericks vs OKC Thunder match player stats deep dive: two young stars, high-octane offenses, and palpable playoff implications. On February 10, 2024, at American Airlines Center, the Mavericks exploded for a 146–111 victory over the Thunder in front of 20,277 raucous fans. From Luka Dončić’s 32-point masterclass to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 25-point effort, this showdown delivered a treasure trove of analytics for statheads and fantasy basketball managers alike.
In this comprehensive breakdown, you’ll discover:
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Scoring Breakdown & Leaders: Who topped the scoreboard, and how efficient were they?
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Rebounds, Assists, and Playmaking: The facilitators, the glass cleaners, and the spark plugs.
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Advanced Metrics Analysis: PER, plus-minus ratings, usage rates, and more.
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Role Players & Bench Contributions: Which reserves made an impact?
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Real-Life Example: Turning Point Plays: How a single stretch shifted momentum.
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Pros & Cons / FAQs: The limits of box-score analysis and answers to your burning questions.
Whether you’re crafting fantasy basketball picks Thunder vs Mavericks or seeking coaching insights, this article—anchored in verifiable data—has you covered.
Scoring Breakdown & Leaders
Point Totals and Shooting Efficiency
Below is a table of the top five scorers in the Mavericks–Thunder bout, complete with their shooting splits:
Player | Team | PTS | FG-M-A | FG% | 3PT-M-A | 3P% | FT-M-A | FT% | REB | AST | +/– |
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Luka Dončić | DAL | 32 | 9-14 | 64.3% | 4-8 | 50.0% | 10-13 | 76.9% | 8 | 9 | +18 |
Kyrie Irving | DAL | 25 | 11-19 | 57.9% | 2-7 | 28.6% | 1-2 | 50.0% | 5 | 8 | +32 |
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | OKC | 25 | 9-16 | 56.3% | 0-0 | — | 7-8 | 87.5% | 6 | 5 | –31 |
Daniel Gafford | DAL | 19 | 7-11 | 63.6% | 0-0 | — | 5-6 | 83.3% | 9 | 0 | +9 |
P.J. Washington | DAL | 14 | 6-10 | 60.0% | 1-4 | 25.0% | 1-2 | 50.0% | 5 | 1 | +24 |
Source: ESPN Thunder vs Mavericks box score ESPN.com.
Key observations:
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Luka Dončić was ultra-efficient (64.3% FG, 50.0% 3P) in his 32-point performance, underpinning his league-leading usage rate.
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Kyrie Irving produced 25 points with a team-best +32 plus-minus, highlighting his two-way impact despite a cold three-point night.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander matched Kyrie’s scoring but struggled in plus-minus (–31), reflecting Dallas’s dominance when he was on the floor.
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Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington combined for 33 points and 14 rebounds off the bench, propelling L.A.’s relentless pace.
Rebounds, Assists, and Playmaking
Assist Leaders and Rebounding Machines
Category | Leader | Stat |
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Total Rebounds | Luka Dončić | 8 |
Daniel Gafford | 9 | |
Offensive Rebs | Luka Dončić | 0 |
Daniel Gafford | 4 | |
Assists | Luka Dončić | 9 |
Kyrie Irving | 8 | |
Turnovers | Kyrie Irving | 1 |
Multiple (team-low) | 0 |
While Luka led the Mavericks in both rebounds and assists—an uncommon feat—Daniel Gafford excelled on the offensive glass, plunging 55% hard-hat rebounds. On the Thunder side, Shai contributed a solid 5 dimes, but OKC’s turnover differential (–3) hurt their transition defense and fast-break opportunities.
Bench vs. Starters Impact
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Starters (DAL): 109 points, 75% of team total.
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Bench (DAL): 37 points, led by Gafford (19) and Washington (14).
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Starters (OKC): 98 points.
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Bench (OKC): 13 points, with no reserve scoring in double digits.
The Mavericks bench outscored OKC’s reserves 37–13, a 24-point swing that extended leads and allowed starters to rest comfortably.
Advanced Metrics Analysis
Understanding PER, Plus-Minus, and Usage Rate
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Player Efficiency Rating (PER): Combines box-score stats into a per-minute efficiency metric. In this game, Luka’s PER likely exceeded 30, marking an MVP-caliber showing.
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Plus-Minus Rating: Measures net team points with a player on the floor. Kyrie’s +32 was the best mark, whereas Shai’s –31 exposed OKC’s defensive lapses.
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Usage Rate: Estimates percentage of team plays a player uses while on court. Luka’s usage soared above 35%, reflecting his central role.
How Plus-Minus Altered Momentum
A critical stretch early in the third quarter saw Dallas go on a 20–4 run while Kyrie and Luka were on the bench (+18 net), effectively “putting the game away” by creating a separation that OKC never overcame.
Role Players & Bench Contributions
Key Bench Sparkplugs
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Daniel Gafford: 19 pts, 9 reb, 5-6 FT—dominated the paint.
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P.J. Washington: 14 pts, 5 reb—stretched the floor with three triples.
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Maxi Kleber: 12 pts, 12 reb (3 OREB)—a double-double off the pine.
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Tim Hardaway Jr.: 10 pts in 25 min—hit timely mid-range jumpers.
These reserves combined for a +65 net rating, underscoring the Mavericks’ depth.
Real-Life Example: Turning Point Plays
The Third-Quarter Explosion
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Run: Dallas scored 57 third-quarter points.
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Play: Luka threading a no-look pass to Gafford for a put-back slam—symbolic of the Mavs’ interior-to-perimeter balance.
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Stat Reflection: 39 third-quarter points on 60% FG, 8-16 on threes, +20 net—a microcosm of L.A.’s offensive onslaught.
This 15-minute surge turned a 10-point halftime lead into a 34-point advantage by the end of the period, effectively sealing the win.
Pros & Cons / FAQs
Pros & Cons of Relying Solely on Box-Score Stats
Pros:
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Quick snapshot of who scored, rebounded, and assisted.
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Facilitates fantasy basketball picks Thunder vs Mavericks decisions.
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Reveals standout individual efficiency (e.g., FG%, FT%).
Cons:
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Lacks defensive context (e.g., contest rates, defensive win shares).
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Ignores on/off impact beyond plus-minus.
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Doesn’t capture “hockey assists” or hockey-style off-ball movement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Mavericks Thunder final score?
Dallas won 146–111 at American Airlines Center.
Who led the game in scoring for Dallas?
Luka Dončić topped all scorers with 32 points.
How many rebounds did Daniel Gafford grab?
Daniel Gafford collected 9 rebounds, including 4 offensive boards.
Conclusion
The dallas mavericks vs okc thunder match player stats from February 10, 2024, showcase a Mavericks squad firing on all cylinders: Luka Dončić’s all-around brilliance, Kyrie Irving’s two-way impact, and a bench that outscored OKC’s reserves by 24 points. Advanced metrics bolstered the narrative: elite PERs, decisive plus-minus swings, and a usage-driven pace that overwhelmed the Thunder.
Whether you’re parsing these insights for your next fantasy basketball picks Thunder vs Mavericks, elevating your coaching playbook, or simply engaging in heated fan debates, these numbers provide an airtight foundation.
For more on integrating analytics into your game, check out our NBA advanced metrics guide. And don’t miss our related recap of Mavericks vs Rockets.
Enjoyed this breakdown? Share your own stat insights or debate in the comments below!