After a bad week for the Thunder that saw them go 1-3, they were able to turn things around in a big way this week. Their first game this week would see them host a game against the Mavericks, who were riding a 6-game winning streak coming into OKC Sunday night. The Thunder would also have to find a way to win without Kevin Durant, who would be out for one more game due to a left hamstring injury.
This was a very chippy game to start, with both teams trading shots. The Mavs were up 15-15 with 6:31 to go in the 1st quarter when the Thunder scored 7 unanswered to claim a 21-15 lead with 3:33 remaining in the opening period.