Luka-less Mavericks come up short against Thunder

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Mavericks have had many games this season when their opponent was missing their best player(s) and that team performed like victory was their birthright.

After Sunday night, the Mavs must be asking themselves why this phenomenon doesn’t work both ways.

For the fourth time this season, they played without Luka Don\u010di\u0107 and for the fourth time, they could not find a way to win.

Three of the four losses have been to teams with losing records, including Sunday when the Oklahoma City Thunder took charge in the second quarter and never looked back, taking a 120-109 victory at Paycom Center.

Other than a regrettable second quarter, the Mavericks did not play poorly. But…