The OKC Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks timeline is a lot more than a series of games, it is the evolving clash between young talent and seasoned firepower.
The West is a series of playoff heartbreaks, emerging rivalries and shifting momentum told through every matchup. The NBA’s future is drawn up through this timeline as rosters change and stars ascend (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC; Luka Dončić, Dallas).
While a bit of history for fans and analysts alike, tracking this rivalry isn’t just tracking history, it’s insight into where the league is heading. This saga is far from over, stay tuned.
The Origins: How the OKC Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks Rivalry Began
That was the early 2010s, when the Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks fought in high stakes playoff series and were practically neighbors. The seasoned Mavericks with Dirk Nowitzki beat the youthful Thunder trio of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden in the 2011 Western Conference Finals, sending Dallas to their first NBA Championship .
The next year, the Thunder avenged that by sweeping the defending champs in the first round, a sign that the tables had turned . All these are intense encounters, with physical play and competitive fire which have been laying the foundation to a rivalry that is changing with every passing season.
Key Moments in the OKC Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks Timeline
Total
Oklahoma City Thunder (W)
Dallas Mavericks (W)
Total Matches
106
52
54
NBA Regular season
74
33
41
NBA Summer League
3
2
1
NBA Playoffs
20
11
9
NBA Preseason
9
6
3
High stakes playoff clashes and unforgettable performances have defined the Thunder Merricks rivalry. Dirk Nowitzki’s 48 point Game 1 performance in the 2011 Western Conference Finals set the tone for Dallas’s 4–1 series victory all the way to their first NBA title. The next year, Thunder’s Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden swept the defending champs in the first round, a portent of things to come.
The rivalry came to a boil in the 2024 Western Conference Semifinals when the Mavericks rallied from a 17 point second half deficit in Game 6 to eliminate the top seeded Thunder. P.J. Washington’s clutch free throws with 2.5 seconds left sealed the 117–116 victory after Luka Dončić’s third straight triple double.
And they’ve been memorable in regular season matchups too. Durant scored a career high 52 points in an overtime win over Dallas in January 2013. Last but not least, Shai Gilgeous Alexander scored 39 in the Thunder’s 118–104 win in the 2024 NBA Cup quarterfinals over the Mavericks.
They also highlight a rivalry that has seen twists and turns and standout performers, as the Western Conference continues to change.
Memorable Player Performances in the Thunder-Mavericks Matchups
Since the Thunder and Mavericks rivalry has been punctuated by standout individual performances that have become the defining moments in the timeline.
Dirk Nowitzki was in full masterclass mode in Game 1 of the 2011 Western Conference Finals, scoring 48 points and shooting a perfect 24 of 24 from the line which also set an NBA playoff record.
So Kevin Durant answered in a 2012 regular season thriller, scoring 40 points in an overtime win, to demonstrate his scoring abilities.
Russell Westbrook also had 16 points and 10 assists in the same game, with eight of those points coming in overtime, when the Clippers tied the game and won in OT.
Dončić has made his name in the rivalry with a series of triple doubles, including a 35 point, 16 rebound, 15 assist performance in a 2021 regular season win.
The Thunder have found a leader in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored a playoff high 36 points in the Thunder’s game 6 loss to the Nuggets in the 2024 Western Conference Semifinals.
The performances are a testament to how intense, how talented and how big the Thunder Mavericks rivalry is.
The Impact of the Rivalry on Both Teams’ Seasons
It’s a notorious rivalry that has completely defined both franchises. Early playoff losses to the Mavericks (including in the 2011 Western Conference Finals) proved to be valuable learning experiences for the Thunder’s young core and they used those to toughen up. Much of this was achieved through these encounters and key areas of growth were identified along with strategic adjustments and a focus on player development.
The Mavericks, meanwhile, have often measured their progress against the Thunder when playing them. Those team morale victories and validation of their strategic approaches have come in victories in these high stakes games. The rivalry has been so intense, that Dallas have had to refine their gameplay to adapt and adapt and adapt.
The Thunder and Mavericks rivalry as a whole has spurred both sides to raise their game, to make adjustments strategically. Not only have these meetings had an effect on the individual season of one team or the other, but they have also helped both teams’ long term growth and competitiveness.
Future Outlook: What’s Next for the OKC Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks Rivalry?
For all the recent storylines, the Thunder and Mavericks rivalry is quickly becoming one of the NBA’s best. The future high stakes clashes between their teams are set after Dallas ousted top seeded OKC in a dramatic Game 6 comeback that had them play in their 2024 playoff clash.
The Thunder and Mavericks both are young super teams, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the Thunder and Luka Dončić for the Mavericks and that competition is going to be heated. With Oklahoma City and Dallas so close, there’s a regional fervor to each matchup that transcends the game, it’s a war for regional dominance.
Both franchises have a lot of work to do, but each has a series of exciting contests lined up that will determine the Western Conference landscape for years to come.
Final Word
The OKC Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks timeline is a vivid narrative of rivalry, growth, and shifting power in the Western Conference. This matchup is the heartbeat of the NBA with playoff battles in their careers to stars emerging and rewriting the script. Both teams have a strong foundation in place to build towards future glory and their matchups are sure to be packed with energy and intensity, as this rivalry is one you don’t want to miss if you want to see basketball at its most competitive.
