Luka Doncic (29 PTS, 10 REB, 10 AST) and Kyrie Irving (22 PTS, 2 REB, 3 AST) lead the way as the Mavericks win Game 6 against the Thunder to advance to the Conference Finals.

NBA Fans React After Luka Doncic And Kyrie Irving Advance To The Western Conference Finals

Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Mavericks have made it to the Western Conference Finals following a thrilling 117-116 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving led the way and the NBA fans reacted to the duo leading the Mavs past the Thunder.

One called out all those who had doubts about the duo.

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A fan praised Doncic for taking two different rosters to the Conference Finals in three years.

One was glad that some narratives about Irving have now been put to rest.

A fan hilariously stated that the fat boys are in the Conference Finals.

The fourth quarter of this game was praised by many.

It truly was a wild final quarter, with both teams throwing some haymakers. You really felt it could have gone either way and free throws ultimately decided the contest.

P.J. Washington was fouled with 2.1 seconds remaining while attempting a three-pointer and hit two of his three free throws to give the Mavs a 117-116 lead. The Thunder had no timeouts remaining, so when Washington intentionally missed the last one, all Jalen Williams could do was heave it from about 60 feet. Williams missed and that sent the Thunder home and the Mavericks to the Conference Finals.

For Dallas, Doncic finished with 29 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and 2 steals in the contest. The 25-year-old had 4 points and 5 assists in the fourth quarter as he delivered when it mattered most. It seemed like Doncic might lose his head at one point as he was unhappy with the officials, but he managed to keep it together.

As for Irving, he had 22 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists in this one. The 32-year-old only had four points at the half but like Doncic, came up big when the team needed him the most.

Another one who came up big here was Derrick Jones Jr. Jones poured in 22 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block. It was a playoff career-high for points and his final ones came on a circus shot with the shot clock expiring that gave the Mavs a five-point lead late in the game. Had that not gone in, the result might have been different.

Meanwhile, for the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put in an incredible performance. Gilgeous-Alexander had a game-high 36 points to go with 3 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 blocks. The Canadian played his heart out but it just wasn’t enough. He and the Thunder will be back, though.

Can The Mavericks Make It To The NBA Finals?

This is the second trip to the Western Conference Finals in three years for the Mavericks after they got to this stage in 2022. The Golden State Warriors comfortably dispatched them in five games that year, but will things be different this time around?

I think having Irving certainly helps matters for the Mavericks. There were many doubts about whether he and Doncic would succeed as a pairing after Dallas failed to even make the playoffs last year. They have now silenced the doubters by making it this far in their first full season together.

I don’t believe they’ll make it to the Finals, however, regardless of who they end up facing. I think the Denver Nuggets are just flat-out better than them and I would give the Minnesota Timberwolves the edge over them too.