Ibaka was on his way to a career performance through three quarters against the Mavs. He sat on 24 points, three shy of his career high, entering the final period. He poured in 14 points in the third to help the Thunder outscore the Mavs, 30-17, and wrestle away momentum. Ibaka had the hottest hand in the building and illustrated as much by twice leaving a hand posed in a follow-through position as he transitioned to defense following two late-period makes.

Then the fourth quarter started and Ibaka attempted only one more shot.

It was an alley-oop from Russell Westbrook that Ibaka laid in. The bucket gave the Thunder a four-point lead with 5:45 remaining. Ibaka barely touched the ball again.

“I think they did a better job of adjusting,” Brooks said. “He had a hot hand. They put Richard Jefferson on him and he was staying next to him. A smaller, quicker guy was on him and he didn’t give up any space. But we probably could have done a better job. I thought he had a chance for a post-up a couple of times.”