Instant Reactions: Mavericks’ Caleb Martin scores 18 points in loss to the Thunder

Things have changed drastically in two years for the Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder.

In 2024, the Mavericks defeated Oklahoma City 4-2 in the Western Conference finals. Since then, Dallas has missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons, while the Thunder are chasing a second straight NBA championship.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams remain the core of Oklahoma City’s roster. Luka Dončić was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, and Kyrie Irving will miss the 2025-26 season with a torn left ACL.

The Mavericks own the Thunder’s first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, acquired in a trade with the Washington Wizards, but the selection is projected to fall near the end of the opening round. Oklahoma City could also receive first-round picks from the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers, depending on draft positioning.

The Thunder traded for 76ers guard Jared McCain, who was a frontrunner for the 2024-25 Rookie of the Year award before suffering a season-ending injury. Meanwhile, the Mavericks shed Anthony Davis’ contract in a salary-clearing move with Washington.

The teams could not be in more different stages of their trajectories, and that contrast was evident in Oklahoma City’s 100-87 victory over Dallas at the American Airlines Center on Sunday night.

Still, the Mavericks landed Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick in June and are likely to secure another lottery selection in what is projected to be one of the strongest draft classes of the decade.

With the loss, the Mavericks (21-39) fell to 9-24 against teams above .500 this season. They carry a three-game losing streak into Tuesday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets.