Aussie Green helps Mavs into NBA West finals series

P.J. Washington Jr. made two free throws before an intentional miss with 2.5 seconds left in Saturday's home match as the Mavericks went ahead for the last time and clinched the semi-final series 4-2.

Washington was fouled by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on a 3-point attempt after Chet Holmgren had put the Thunder in front 116-115 with a dunk on an assist from his star guard with 20 seconds remaining.

The final sequence capped a riveting fourth quarter with five lead changes and two ties in the final five minutes after the Thunder led for all but one minute until then.

Green played 19 minutes off the bench for the Mavericks, notching six points, while teammate Exum was again unused.

The Mavericks were led by superstar Luka Doncic (29 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists) while Kyrie Irving and Derrick Jones both scored 22 points.

Giddey again came off the bench for the Thunder, scoring just two points in his 11 minutes on court.

All-Star Gilgeous-Alexander had 36 points and eight assists for the visitors while Jalen Williams contributed 22 points plus eight assists and nine rebounds and Holmgren finished with 21 points.

Dallas trailed by 17 points in the third quarter but they surged to wrap up the series in Game 6 at home just as they did in the first round against the Los Angeles Clippers.

"Being down 17 in a closeout game isn't a position you want to be in," said Irving, who improved to 14-0 in closeout games in his career. "But that's where we found ourselves. We had to respond the way we've been responding all season."

Dallas will play the winner of the other semi-final series between defending champions Denver and Minnesota which is locked at 3-3 going into the decider on Sunday (Monday AEST).

The Mavs lost to eventual champions Golden State in five games in the 2022 West finals, Doncic's first trip that far.

Australian Associated Press