Key Takeaways:
- Oklahoma City Thunder improved to 4-0 after holding off a late Dallas Mavericks surge
- Isaiah Hartenstein scored 16 points, including the only two Thunder field goals in the final 8:28 minutes
- Thunder dominated the paint, outscoring Dallas 68-36 and winning the rebounding battle 55-36
Match Analysis
Oklahoma City Thunder continued their unbeaten start to the season, posting a 101-94 win over the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. The Thunder weathered a late Dallas charge, managing to keep their composure down the stretch despite scoring just two field goals in the final 8:28 – both provided by Isaiah Hartenstein. This result sees the Thunder move to 4-0 for the campaign.
Hartenstein was instrumental, finishing with 16 points. His late contributions were pivotal, first with a tip-in that halted a 13-0 Mavericks run, then with a left-handed layup to push the Thunder’s lead after Dallas had closed the gap to a single point with under a minute to play.
Got it done in Dallas 🫡 pic.twitter.com/znCVlHFkJF
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) October 28, 2025
Player Performance
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City with 23 points, building on his NBA-best scoring average. Chet Holmgren provided a strong all-round effort, supplying 18 points, collecting 11 rebounds, and registering four blocks.
For Dallas, Anthony Davis delivered a double-double, tallying 26 points alongside 11 rebounds. Cooper Flagg, the Mavericks’ most recent No. 1 draft pick, endured a difficult outing, scoring just two points on 1-of-9 shooting as he nursed a left shoulder injury sustained on the game’s opening possession. Flagg showed visible discomfort throughout, often holding his shoulder during the first half and applying a heat wrap while off the court after half-time.
Oklahoma City outscored the Mavericks 68-36 in the paint and controlled the boards throughout, amassing a 55-36 rebounding advantage. Dallas were notably affected by the absence of Dereck Lively II, who missed the contest with a knee contusion.
Key Statistics
| Team | Points | Paint Points | Rebounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 101 | 68 | 55 |
| Dallas Mavericks | 94 | 36 | 36 |
Looking Ahead
The Thunder will welcome Sacramento to Oklahoma City on Tuesday, seeking to extend their perfect start. The Mavericks, meanwhile, will conclude their five-game season-opening homestand – a first in the NBA since the 1983-84 Kansas City Kings – when they host Indiana on Wednesday.
