PJ Washington had a season-high 27 points and a career-high 17 rebounds to lead the visiting Dallas Mavericks to a 121-119 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder yesterday (Philippine time).

Kyrie Irving added 23 points as the Mavericks led for much of the game despite playing without Luka Doncic, who was out with a bruised right knee. It was the first game Doncic had missed this season.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander nearly helped the Thunder pull off a late comeback — hitting a three-pointer with 25 seconds left to pull Oklahoma City within three, forcing a jump ball with Irving and then winning the jump ball.

The Mavericks fouled Gilgeous-Alexander with less than five seconds remaining. Gilgeous-Alexander made the first free throw before missing the second intentionally. Luguentz Dort grabbed the offensive rebound but his three-pointer at the buzzer missed the mark.

Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 36 points on 13-of-19 shooting.

Dallas has won back-to-back games. The Thunder had a three-game winning streak snapped and finished a season-long six-game homestand 4-2.

Washington made his mark quickly, hitting a turnaround shot on the game’s first possession, grabbing the rebound on the other end and eventually finishing off that possession with a three-pointer. In the first four minutes, Washington had 11 points and four rebounds.

He had 13 points and five rebounds by the end of the first quarter, when the Mavericks led 39-34. (Field Level Media / Reuters)