oklahoma city thunder vs dallas mavericks match player stats

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks Match Player Stats

The oklahoma city thunder vs dallas mavericks match player stats tell a much deeper story than the final 100-87 score alone. Oklahoma City controlled the game through efficient half-court execution, defensive pressure, and a 30-point performance from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, while Dallas struggled to turn its possession volume into efficient offense. The Thunder led 36-25 after the opening quarter, maintained a 58-49 advantage at halftime, and never surrendered control of the game. The official NBA game record confirms the 100-87 result at American Airlines Center on March 1, 2026, with the game listed under March 2 in some databases because of the post-midnight reporting time.

For anyone studying this matchup from a player-performance perspective, the most important takeaway is that Oklahoma City did not need an exceptional three-point shooting night to win. The Thunder shot 41 of 92 from the field, while Dallas made only 33 of 85 attempts. Oklahoma City also created a major possession advantage through 17 Dallas turnovers and converted defensive pressure into transition opportunities. The result was a 13-point road victory and a 3-0 season-series sweep.

Table of Contents

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks Match Player Stats: Game Overview

The matchup took place at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, in front of an announced attendance of 18,900. Oklahoma City entered the game with a 47-15 record and a 22-8 road mark, while Dallas was 21-39 overall and 14-19 at home according to the supplied game data and contemporary game reporting. The Thunder’s win strengthened an already dominant season series against the Mavericks.

The quarter-by-quarter scoring pattern is especially useful because it explains when the game was effectively decided:

Quarter Oklahoma City Dallas
1st 36 25
2nd 22 24
3rd 25 20
4th 17 18
Final 100 87

Oklahoma City gained 11 points in the first quarter and added another five points to its advantage during the third. Dallas actually outscored the Thunder by two points in the second quarter and one point in the fourth, but those smaller stretches were not enough to overcome the damage created earlier.

That is an important distinction when evaluating player statistics. A team can win several individual statistical categories and still lose because of when those statistics occur. Dallas competed better in selected areas, especially rebounding and free-throw accuracy, but Oklahoma City consistently produced better possessions.

The official NBA recap also noted that the Mavericks were held to a season-low 87 points and that the loss completed Oklahoma City’s sweep of the three-game season series.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Leads Oklahoma City

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the clear offensive centerpiece.

He finished with:

  • 30 points
  • 12-for-20 shooting from the field
  • 1-for-5 shooting from three-point range
  • 5-for-6 from the free-throw line
  • 4 rebounds
  • 5 assists
  • 4 steals
  • 3 turnovers
  • 33:28 minutes
  • +13 plus/minus

The most impressive part of his performance was not simply the 30-point total. It was the combination of scoring efficiency and defensive activity.

Gilgeous-Alexander converted 60% of his field-goal attempts while carrying the highest scoring load on either team. His four steals also helped Oklahoma City generate extra possessions without requiring the Thunder to depend heavily on perimeter shooting.

The official NBA recap confirms that Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 points and had five assists. It also highlighted the historical significance of his scoring consistency on the road. He entered the game after returning from a nine-game absence and extended his streak of road games with at least 20 points.

From an analytical standpoint, this was an excellent example of why box-score evaluation should go beyond points. Gilgeous-Alexander did not need to make a large number of three-pointers. Instead, he consistently created scoring opportunities inside the arc, reached the free-throw line, protected the ball reasonably well, and disrupted Dallas defensively.

That combination made him the most influential player on the floor.

Why SGA’s Efficiency Mattered

A 30-point game can sometimes be misleading if a player needs 30 or more shots to reach that number. That was not the case here.

Gilgeous-Alexander needed only 20 field-goal attempts to reach 30 points.

His 12 made field goals accounted for almost one-third of Oklahoma City’s total made baskets. More importantly, his scoring came without forcing the Thunder into an overly isolation-heavy offense.

His four steals were equally important. Dallas committed 17 turnovers as a team, and Oklahoma City’s nine steals were a major part of that defensive pressure.

This is where his performance becomes more meaningful than a simple points leaderboard. He influenced the game on both ends.

Chet Holmgren Provides Two-Way Impact

Chet Holmgren was Oklahoma City’s second-leading scorer with 19 points.

His line included:

  • 19 points
  • 8-for-14 field goals
  • 1-for-5 three-pointers
  • 2-for-2 free throws
  • 9 rebounds
  • 1 assist
  • 2 steals
  • 2 blocks
  • 2 turnovers
  • +13 plus/minus
  • 27:37 minutes

Holmgren’s 9 rebounds were the highest total for Oklahoma City in the official player data, while his two blocks added another layer to the Thunder’s interior defense.

His value was particularly visible because Dallas had opportunities around the basket but struggled to turn them into efficient scoring possessions. Holmgren’s length changed the geometry of the floor. Even when he did not block a shot, his presence could influence where Dallas players attempted to finish.

His offensive efficiency was also strong. Holmgren made 8 of 14 field-goal attempts, giving him a 57.1% field-goal rate.

The combination of 19 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks made him one of the most complete players in the game.

Cason Wallace Controls the Playmaking

Cason Wallace produced one of the more understated performances of the night.

He recorded:

  • 4 points
  • 2-for-7 field goals
  • 6 rebounds
  • 8 assists
  • 1 steal
  • 1 block
  • 1 turnover
  • +8 plus/minus
  • 29:49 minutes

The eight assists were particularly valuable because Wallace was not trying to replace Gilgeous-Alexander as a scorer.

Instead, he helped keep Oklahoma City’s offense moving.

That distinction matters. Good secondary playmaking can prevent a team from becoming predictable when its primary scorer attracts defensive attention. Wallace’s eight assists helped distribute the offensive workload and contributed to the Thunder’s 22 total assists.

He also finished with only one turnover, giving him an 8-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.

That is exactly the type of supporting performance that can disappear when readers focus only on points.

Isaiah Joe Gives the Bench a Scoring Lift

Isaiah Joe was Oklahoma City’s most productive bench scorer.

He finished with 14 points on 5-for-9 shooting and made 3 of 7 three-point attempts. He also collected five rebounds.

His three made three-pointers were significant because the Thunder as a whole struggled from beyond the arc.

Oklahoma City finished 8-for-39 from three-point range, or approximately 20.5%.

That means Joe alone accounted for three of the team’s eight made threes.

This is an important contextual point. A team does not necessarily need excellent team-wide perimeter shooting to win if it can create advantages elsewhere. Oklahoma City compensated for its poor three-point accuracy with stronger overall field-goal efficiency, better ball security, defensive activity, and a more reliable primary scorer.

Joe’s contribution therefore had greater importance than his 14 points might initially suggest.

Oklahoma City’s Starting Lineup Breakdown

The Thunder’s starting group consisted of Isaiah Hartenstein, Chet Holmgren, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luguentz Dort, and Cason Wallace.

Isaiah Hartenstein

Hartenstein posted:

  • 7 points
  • 3-for-8 shooting
  • 5 rebounds
  • 4 assists
  • 1 steal
  • 2 blocks
  • +10 plus/minus
  • 24:54 minutes

His four assists were notable for a center. Hartenstein’s passing helped Oklahoma City avoid relying exclusively on guard-driven creation.

His two blocks also contributed to the Thunder’s eight-block team total.

Luguentz Dort

Dort finished with:

  • 5 points
  • 2-for-6 shooting
  • 1-for-5 from three
  • 4 rebounds
  • +11 plus/minus
  • 21:12 minutes

The scoring was modest, but the plus/minus figure reflects his usefulness within Oklahoma City’s defensive structure.

Dort’s offensive role was relatively low volume, allowing the Thunder to concentrate possessions around more efficient creators.

Bench Contributions

Oklahoma City’s bench provided useful depth:

  • Jared McCain: 11 points
  • Isaiah Joe: 14 points
  • Alex Caruso: 4 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block
  • Jaylin Williams: 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks
  • Aaron Wiggins: 6 points
  • Kenrich Williams: 1 rebound

The most important bench statistic was that Oklahoma City received meaningful scoring without asking Gilgeous-Alexander to carry every possession.

That balance is one of the reasons the Thunder could maintain control after building an early lead.

Dallas Mavericks Player Stats

Dallas had fewer efficient offensive possessions, but several individual performances deserve attention.

Caleb Martin led the Mavericks with 18 points.

His line included:

  • 18 points
  • 6-for-11 shooting
  • 3 made three-pointers
  • 5 rebounds
  • 1 assist
  • 1 steal
  • +1 plus/minus
  • 29:42 minutes

Martin was one of Dallas’s most efficient offensive players.

His 6-for-11 shooting represented a field-goal rate of 54.5%, and his three three-pointers gave Dallas a much-needed perimeter scoring source.

The problem was that Dallas did not have enough similar performances around him.

Brandon Williams

Brandon Williams was Dallas’s second-leading scorer with 14 points.

He also contributed four rebounds and four assists while playing a significant role in the Mavericks’ backcourt.

However, Dallas needed more efficient scoring from the rest of its rotation to keep pace with Oklahoma City’s offensive balance.

Max Christie

Max Christie finished with 14 points and seven rebounds.

He was also one of Dallas’s better perimeter shooters, making 4 of 8 attempts from three-point range according to the game data.

His seven rebounds were useful because Dallas actually finished ahead of Oklahoma City in total rebounding in the official team statistics.

That makes the final result more revealing. The Mavericks were not simply beaten because they failed to rebound. Their bigger problem was converting possessions efficiently and protecting the basketball.

Moussa Cisse’s Rebounding Performance

Moussa Cisse produced one of Dallas’s most interesting individual statistical performances.

He grabbed 12 rebounds in 21 minutes.

That was the best rebounding total by either team in the player-level data.

It is an excellent example of why individual statistics need context.

Cisse did his job on the glass, but Dallas still lost by 13 points.

Rebounding can create additional possessions, but it cannot fully compensate for poor shooting and excessive turnovers. The Mavericks’ 17 turnovers were especially damaging because Oklahoma City turned defensive pressure into additional offensive opportunities.

Dwight Powell’s Interior Work

Dwight Powell recorded nine points and nine rebounds, along with two assists, one steal, and one block.

His nine rebounds tied Chet Holmgren for the game-high among the players highlighted in several game summaries, although Cisse led Dallas individually with 12.

Powell’s activity helped Dallas compete physically around the basket.

However, the Mavericks struggled to translate that interior presence into enough scoring.

Team Shooting Comparison

The shooting statistics provide one of the clearest explanations for the final result.

Category Thunder Mavericks
Field Goals 41-92 33-85
Field-Goal % 44.6% 38.8%
Three-Pointers 8-39 9-31
Three-Point % 20.5% 29.0%
Free Throws 10-15 12-16
Free-Throw % 66.7% 75.0%

Dallas was more accurate from three-point range and at the free-throw line.

Yet Oklahoma City won comfortably.

Why?

Because the Thunder made eight more field goals overall.

That difference is enormous in a game that ended with only 187 combined points.

Oklahoma City also took seven more field-goal attempts and converted those attempts at a much better overall rate.

The lesson is straightforward: three-point percentage alone did not determine the outcome.

Turnovers Were a Major Difference

One of the strongest statistical indicators in this game was turnover control.

Oklahoma City committed only eight turnovers in the supplied game data, while Dallas committed 17. The official NBA game summary likewise records a substantial turnover difference and shows Oklahoma City generating more points off turnovers.

That nine-turnover gap matters because turnovers do more than remove scoring opportunities.

They can also create:

  • Transition chances
  • Open-court attacks
  • Defensive momentum
  • Extra possessions
  • Fouls in vulnerable defensive situations

Dallas had enough rebounding and shooting success to make the game competitive in isolated areas, but giving away that many possessions made it difficult to overcome Oklahoma City’s efficiency.

Rebounding Was Not the Deciding Factor

Rebounding is another area where the box score requires careful interpretation.

The supplied data listed Oklahoma City with 46 rebounds and Dallas with 49, but the official NBA game record reports 55 rebounds for Oklahoma City and 58 for Dallas in its game statistics presentation.

For a publish-ready article, the official NBA figures should take priority.

Even with Dallas holding a three-rebound edge, the Mavericks did not gain enough offensive value from the advantage.

That is a useful lesson for anyone analyzing player statistics. Winning a statistical category does not automatically mean winning the game.

The question is always what that category produced.

Dallas rebounded slightly better, but Oklahoma City protected the ball better, defended more aggressively, and shot better overall.

Defensive Statistics Explain the Thunder’s Control

Oklahoma City recorded:

  • 9 steals
  • 8 blocks
  • 8 turnovers
  • 22 assists

Dallas recorded:

  • 6 steals
  • 1 block
  • 17 turnovers
  • 20 assists

The defensive gap is especially striking.

Oklahoma City generated eight blocks compared with one from Dallas.

The Thunder also recorded three more steals.

This suggests that Oklahoma City was able to disrupt Dallas’s offensive rhythm without needing to rely exclusively on offensive scoring.

The Thunder’s defense forced Dallas into uncomfortable possessions, while Oklahoma City’s offense continued to create enough reliable opportunities to keep the lead intact.

Quarter-by-Quarter Tactical Analysis

First Quarter: Oklahoma City Establishes Control

The Thunder scored 36 points in the opening period while Dallas managed 25.

That 11-point margin was the foundation of the victory.

Oklahoma City attacked effectively early, and Gilgeous-Alexander’s ability to create efficient shots gave the Thunder a reliable source of offense.

Dallas, meanwhile, needed time to settle into its offensive rhythm.

Once Oklahoma City established the lead, Dallas was forced to spend the rest of the game trying to recover rather than dictate the pace.

Second Quarter: Dallas Responds

Dallas won the second quarter 24-22.

This was an important sign that the Mavericks were not completely overwhelmed.

The problem was that a two-point quarter win was not enough to erase the 11-point first-quarter deficit.

This is a common feature of NBA games. A team can appear to have momentum because it wins a later quarter, but the total game state may still strongly favor the opponent.

Third Quarter: Thunder Reassert Themselves

Oklahoma City scored 25 points to Dallas’s 20 in the third.

The five-point swing pushed the Thunder’s advantage back toward a comfortable margin.

This quarter demonstrated Oklahoma City’s ability to respond after Dallas had briefly narrowed the gap.

Fourth Quarter: Controlled Finish

The final quarter ended 18-17 in Oklahoma City’s favor.

Neither team produced a spectacular offensive period, but that was perfectly acceptable for the Thunder.

With a lead already established, Oklahoma City did not need to chase a high-scoring fourth quarter.

The objective became possession control, defensive execution, and avoiding unnecessary mistakes.

That approach worked.

Why Oklahoma City Won

Several factors combined to produce the 100-87 result.

1. Gilgeous-Alexander Was the Best Offensive Player

Thirty points on 12-for-20 shooting gave Oklahoma City a dependable scoring foundation.

2. Oklahoma City Shot Better Overall

The Thunder converted approximately 44.6% of their field goals compared with approximately 38.8% for Dallas.

3. Dallas Turned the Ball Over Too Often

The Mavericks’ 17 turnovers created too many additional opportunities for Oklahoma City.

4. The Thunder Defended the Rim Better

Eight blocks compared with one reflected a major difference in interior defensive impact.

5. Oklahoma City Had Better Distribution

The Thunder finished with 22 assists, showing that the offense was not entirely dependent on one player.

6. Dallas Could Not Convert Its Rebounding Edge

Dallas controlled the rebounding numbers in the official game statistics, but the advantage did not translate into enough efficient scoring.

What the Player Stats Say About Both Teams

The statistics reveal two very different team profiles.

Oklahoma City played like a team with multiple pathways to victory.

If three-point shooting was inefficient, the Thunder could still score through Gilgeous-Alexander, Holmgren, interior offense, transition opportunities, and defensive pressure.

Dallas had fewer margin-for-error options.

The Mavericks needed strong shooting, lower turnover numbers, and sustained production from their primary contributors. When turnovers climbed to 17 and overall field-goal accuracy fell below 40%, the path to victory became much narrower.

This is why the final 13-point margin is more understandable when the full box score is examined.

Most Important Player Matchups

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander vs Dallas’s Perimeter Defense

This was the defining matchup.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s 30 points demonstrated that Dallas could not consistently prevent him from reaching efficient scoring positions.

Chet Holmgren vs Dallas’s Interior Defense

Holmgren’s 19 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks showed his ability to affect both ends.

Dallas’s Frontcourt vs Oklahoma City’s Length

Cisse and Powell contributed on the glass, but Oklahoma City’s defensive length helped limit efficient scoring opportunities.

Cason Wallace’s Playmaking vs Dallas’s Ball Pressure

Wallace’s eight assists and one turnover gave Oklahoma City an important secondary creation source.

Historical Context of Gilgeous-Alexander’s Performance

The game also carried significance beyond the final score.

The official NBA recap reported that Gilgeous-Alexander extended his streak of scoring at least 20 points in consecutive road games to 59, which became the longest such streak in NBA history. The same recap noted that he had returned for his second game after missing nine contests because of an abdominal strain.

That context makes the 30-point performance even more notable.

Rather than simply returning to the lineup and easing into his role, he immediately delivered an efficient offensive performance against a divisional opponent.

The broader scoring streak also shows why his presence changes Oklahoma City’s offensive floor.

Player Stats That Deserve More Attention

Fans often focus on the highest scorer, but several secondary statistics deserve attention.

Cason Wallace’s 8 Assists

Eight assists with only one turnover is an excellent possession-management performance.

Isaiah Hartenstein’s 4 Assists

A center producing four assists helps explain Oklahoma City’s ball movement.

Cisse’s 12 Rebounds

Twelve rebounds in 21 minutes showed excellent activity even though Dallas lost.

Joe’s 3 Three-Pointers

Joe’s three made threes represented a significant portion of Oklahoma City’s limited perimeter production.

Holmgren’s 2 Blocks

His rim protection helped Oklahoma City finish with eight team blocks.

How to Read This Box Score Correctly

If you are using these numbers for fantasy analysis, team evaluation, historical research, or game previews, it helps to separate raw totals from impact.

Start with points, but do not stop there.

Then examine:

  1. Field-goal efficiency
  2. Three-point efficiency
  3. Free-throw opportunities
  4. Rebounds
  5. Assists
  6. Turnovers
  7. Steals
  8. Blocks
  9. Minutes
  10. Plus/minus

The final step is to connect those statistics to the game situation.

For example, Cisse’s 12 rebounds look excellent in isolation. They were excellent. But Dallas still lost because other areas of the team profile were weaker.

Similarly, Oklahoma City’s 8-for-39 three-point shooting looks poor. Yet the Thunder won because their overall field-goal efficiency, ball security, defense, and star production were stronger.

That is the difference between reading a box score and understanding it.

Data Accuracy Note

There is one important discrepancy worth identifying for readers who are comparing different sources.

The supplied game data lists team rebounds as 46 for Oklahoma City and 49 for Dallas. The official NBA game page presents 55 rebounds for Oklahoma City and 58 for Dallas in its team statistics.

The NBA record should be treated as the authoritative reference when publishing the final statistics.

There is also a minor difference in how some databases label the game’s date. The game was played Sunday night, March 1, 2026, in Dallas, while some listings display March 2 because the game record and reporting extended into the early hours. The official NBA page identifies it as Sunday, March 1, 2026.

For readers who want to verify the complete official box score, the [NBA game page] provides the primary reference. NBA official game page

Frequently Asked Questions

Who led the Thunder in scoring against the Mavericks?

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City with 30 points on 12-for-20 shooting. He also recorded five assists and four steals.

Who led Dallas in scoring?

Caleb Martin led the Mavericks with 18 points on 6-for-11 shooting. He also made three three-pointers.

How many points did Chet Holmgren score?

Chet Holmgren scored 19 points and added nine rebounds and two blocks.

Who led the game in rebounds?

Moussa Cisse led the player-level rebounding totals for Dallas with 12 rebounds. The official team statistics show Dallas with 58 total rebounds and Oklahoma City with 55.

What was the final score?

Oklahoma City defeated Dallas 100-87 at American Airlines Center.

How many times did Oklahoma City beat Dallas during the season series?

The Thunder completed a 3-0 season-series sweep over the Mavericks.

Conclusion

The oklahoma city thunder vs dallas mavericks match player stats show why Oklahoma City’s 100-87 victory was more comprehensive than the final margin suggests.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered the headline performance with 30 points, five assists, four rebounds, and four steals. Chet Holmgren added 19 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks, while Cason Wallace supplied eight assists with excellent ball security. Isaiah Joe also provided valuable bench scoring with 14 points.

Dallas had several encouraging individual performances. Caleb Martin led the team with 18 points, Brandon Williams scored 14, Max Christie added 14 with seven rebounds, and Moussa Cisse dominated the individual rebounding category with 12 boards.

But the team-level numbers favored Oklahoma City where it mattered most. The Thunder shot better from the field, created more defensive disruption, protected the basketball more effectively, and received balanced contributions around its leading scorer.

The biggest lesson from the game is that basketball statistics must be read as connected pieces rather than isolated achievements. Dallas won some individual categories, including three-point percentage, free-throw percentage, and official team rebounding. Oklahoma City still controlled the game because its advantages in scoring efficiency, turnovers, defense, and star production had greater impact on the final result.

The matchup also reinforced the value of Gilgeous-Alexander’s two-way influence. His 30 points were important, but his four steals, efficient shooting, and ability to create offense without excessive volume made his overall impact considerably larger than the scoring total alone.

For readers analyzing this game for historical records, player comparisons, fantasy research, or future matchup evaluation, the most useful approach is to combine individual production with team context. The complete statistical picture makes it clear why Oklahoma City remained in control from the opening quarter through the final possession.

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