Even without important pieces like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein and Dereck Lively II, both teams' role players simmered the beef between the ball clubs. The usually well-mannered Thunder were hit with multiple technical fouls. PJ Washington continued to poke the bear.

Kyrie Irving scored 25 points to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 106-98 home win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday.

Kyrie Irving scored 25 points, Spencer Dinwiddie and P.J. Washington Jr. added 16 apiece and the Dallas Mavericks beat Oklahoma City 106-98 as Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander missed his first game of the season.

It's Jalen Williams and the Thunder against Kyrie Irving and the Mavericks on Friday. OKC will be without star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is listed out with a right wrist sprain.

What Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said about the Thunder's 30-2 run in Thursday's win. After the win, Gilgeous-Alexander discussed the Thunder’s high focus in their victory against the Cavs. “Things like that don’t happen too often,

Irving is listed on the injury report as he continues to deal with a lumbar back sprain. Meanwhile, Dereck Lively II (right ankle sprain), Luka Doncic (left calf strain) and Dante Exum (right wrist surgery) are all out for Friday's game. It is worth noting that Mavs head coach Jason Kidd previously said he expects Irving to play on Friday.

That decision forced the Thunder to stick close to the Mavericks' role players throughout the first quarter. Once Washington scored the first five points, Irving asserted himself and drained a 3-pointer before finishing at the basket with a finger roll to give the Mavericks an early 10-0 lead.

Wednesday’s controversial loss to the New Orleans Pelicans was an example of Irving’s latest injury management because of a bulging disc in his back. Irving said Tuesday that he would “most likely” play in a game that was on the road after the Mavericks suffered a lopsided loss at home to Denver the night before.

The Oklahoma City Thunder made a late addition to its injury report on Friday before tip-off of their tilt with the Dallas Mavericks. Mark Daigneault entered th

The show must go on for the Dallas Mavericks even without Luka Doncic, but while they wait for their superstar guard, there are opportunities for players to step up.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made a loud statement in an MVP-worthy season with another 40-point performance Thursday night. He was more excited about the one his Oklahoma City Thunder made with a nationally televised blowout of the Cleveland Cavaliers in a matchup of the NBA's best.

Oklahoma City plays the Dallas Mavericks after Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 40 points in the Thunder's 134-114 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers.