“I definitely missed being here. I missed this building. I missed Cowboys’ nation. I’m definitely excited and ready to get this thing going.” — Ezekiel Elliot, after announcing his return to the Cowboys for the 2024 season. (Tuesday, Cowboys.com)

“We refused to let death take us.” — Grace Kang, a North Korean refugee speaking to an SMU crowd about her ordeal leaving the country under a totalitarian regime. (Tuesday, The Dallas Morning News)

“Long before ‘Brooklyn’ became a place where every novelist seemed to live, from Colson Whitehead to Jhumpa Lahiri … Auster made being a writer seem like something real, something a person actually did.” — Poet Meghan O’Rourke, commenting on Paul Auster, the Brooklyn-based writer of “The New York Trilogy,” who died last week. (Wednesday, The New York Times)

“If we have a lot of rain here and we have a lot of rain in Dallas, well then the magnitude of the flooding is going to be much worse.” — Polk County Judge Sydney Murphy commenting on the heavy rainfall in East Texas that caused the Trinity River to overflow. (Wednesday, Texas Tribune)

“As far as financial institutions, I don’t necessarily think it’s going to have a demonstrable effect.” — Morgan Fox, political director for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, or NORML, commenting on the Biden administration’s decision to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug
but still keeping cannabis businesses out of the banking system. (Tuesday, The Associated Press)

“These numbers validate our concern that much of the disruption on campus over the past week has been orchestrated by people from outside the University, including groups with ties to escalating protests at other universities around the country.” — A statement by the University of Texas at Austin confirming that half of those arrested in pro-Palestinian protests had no affiliation with the university. (Tuesday, The Dallas Morning News)

“This is the first time that we have observed a wild animal applying a quite potent medicinal plant directly to a wound.” — Isabelle Laumer, a biologist at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior in Konstanz, Germany, and co-author of a study on an orangutan that applied a medicinal plant to treat a facial wound. (Thursday, Associated Press)

“Why is China stalling so bad economically? Why is Japan having trouble? Why is Russia? Because they’re xenophobic. … They don’t want immigrants. Immigrants are what makes us strong.” — President Joe Biden (Wednesday, CNN)

“Hate speech, derogatory language and offensive behavior is not tolerated at Dallas ISD. Our schools are safe havens where we welcome inclusivity and celebrate all cultures, ethnicities and religions.” — DISD Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde, after announcing that Hillcrest High School will be partnering with the Holocaust Museum for antisemitism training. (Thursday, The Dallas Morning News)

“There were streams of bees, and the wall … was oozing honey. But it looked like blood because it was really, really dark, running down my daughter’s pink walls. It looked really strange.” — Ashley Massis Class, referring to the massive bee hive found in her daughter’s closet in North Carolina. The toddler thought it was a monster. (Wednesday, The Guardian)

We welcome your thoughts in a letter to the editor. See the guidelines and submit your letter here. If you have problems with the form, you can submit via email at letters@dallasnews.com

The Dallas Mavericks and the OKC Thunder meet tonight for Game 6 of the teams’ NBA Playoffs series. Luka Doncic’s Mavericks team leads the series 3-2 and hopes to close out the series tonight, but the upstart Thunder team will aim to force a Game 7.

Keep reading to find out how and when to watch this crucial Game 6 of the Thunder vs. Mavericks NBA Playoffs series tonight.

How and when to watch OKC Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks Game 6

Game 6 of the OKC Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks NBA Playoffs series will be played on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT). The game will air on ESPN and stream on Sling TV and the platforms featured below.

How to watch OKC Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks Game 6 without cable

If your cable provider doesn’t carry ESPN or you’ve cut the cord with your cable company, you can still watch today’s game. Below are the platforms on which you can watch today’s game live. 

Save $25 on Sling TV: The most cost-effective way to stream the Thunder vs. Mavericks game

If you don’t have cable TV that includes ESPN, one of the most cost-effective ways to stream today’s game is through a subscription to Sling TV. To watch today’s game, you’ll need a subscription to the Orange tier, which includes access to ESPN and TNT. To level up your coverage and get access to NBA playoff games and the NBA Finals broadcast on ABC, subscribe to the Orange + Blue tier plan.

The Orange tier is $4o per month. The Sling’s Orange + Blue tier costs $60 per month, but the platform is currently offering $25 off the first month of any pricing tier, making the Orange + Blue tier $35 for the first month.

Note: Because Sling TV doesn’t carry CBS, you won’t be able to watch CBS-aired programming like next year’s NFL games on CBS. To watch these games, plus PGA golf, UEFA Champions League and more live sports, we recommend you also subscribe to Paramount+ with Showtime. Paramount+ with Showtime costs $12 per month after a one-week free trial.

Note: CBS Essentials and Paramount+ with Showtime are both subsidiaries of Paramount.

Top features of Sling TV Orange + Blue tier:

• Sling TV is our top choice to stream the NBA Playoffs.
• There are 46 channels to watch in total, including ABC, NBC and Fox (where available).
• You get access to NBA games airing on TNT.
• All subscription tiers include 50 hours of cloud-based DVR storage.

Watch the Thunder vs. Mavericks game for free with Fubo

You can also catch today’s game on Fubo. Fubo is a sports-centric streaming service that offers access to ABC and ESPN, in addition to almost every NFL game next season.

To watch the NBA Playoffs without cable, start a seven-day free trial of Fubo. You can begin watching immediately on your TV, phone, tablet or computer. In addition to NBA basketball, you’ll have access to NFL football, MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS and international soccer games. Fubo’s Pro Tier is priced at $80 per month after your free seven-day trial.

Sports fans will want to consider adding on the $7.99 per month Fubo Extra package, which includes MLB Network, NBA TV, NHL Network, Tennis Channel, SEC Network and more channels with live games. Or upgrade to the Fubo Elite tier and get all the Fubo Extra channels, plus the ability to stream in 4K, starting at $90 per month ($70 for the first month).

Top features of FuboTV Pro Tier:

• There are no contracts with Fubo, you can cancel anytime.
• The Pro tier includes over 180 channels, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy. 
• Fubo includes most channels you’ll need to watch live sports, including CBS (not available through Sling TV).
• All tiers come with 1,000 hours of cloud-based DVR recording.
• Stream on your TV, phone, tablet and other devices.

Hulu + Live TV/ESPN+ bundle: Watch the Thunder vs. Mavericks game live

You can watch today’s game with the Hulu + Live TV/ESPN+ bundle. The bundle features 95 channels, including ABC, TNT, local network affiliates and ESPN. It also includes the ESPN+ streaming service. Unlimited DVR storage is also included. Watch today’s game, the 2024 NBA playoffs, MLB this season and network-aired NFL games next season with Hulu + Live TV/ESPN+ bundle.

Hulu + Live TV comes bundled with ESPN+ and Disney+. It’s priced at $77 per month after a three-day free trial.

The best place to get NBA Playoffs fan gear: Fanatics

Rooting from home is more fun while repping your team with the latest NBA fan gear. Fanatics is our first stop for the newest NBA fan gear, our go-to for the latest drop of NBA Playoffs and NBA Finals merch like jerseys, commemorative T-shirts, hats and more. Fanatics also has just-released NFL Draft jerseys, like No. 1 overall draft pick Caleb Williams’ new Chicago Bears jersey. Shipping is free with code 24SHIP ($24 minimum order required).

2024 NBA Playoffs: Full playoff schedule

Conference semifinals schedule

The conference semifinals is a best-of-seven series beginning on May 4, 2024.

Eastern Conference

(1) Boston vs. (4) Cleveland

• Game 1: Celtics 120, Cavaliers 95
• Game 2: Cavaliers 118, Celtics 94
• Game 3: Celtics 106, Cavaliers 93
• Game 4: Celtics 109, Cavaliers 102
• Game 5: Celtics 113, Cavaliers 98

Boston wins series 4-1

(2) New York vs. (6) Indiana

• Game 1: Knicks 121, Pacers 117
• Game 2: Knicks 130, Pacers 121
• Game 3: Pacers 111, Knicks 106
• Game 4: Pacers 121, Knicks 89
• Game 5: Knicks 121, Pacers 91
• Game 6: Knicks vs. Pacers, Friday, May 17 (8 p.m., ESPN)
• Game 7: Pacers vs. Knicks, Sunday, May 19 (TBD, TBD) *

New York leads the series 3-2

* = If necessary

Western Conference

(1) Oklahoma City vs. (5) Dallas

• Game 1: Thunder 117, Mavericks 95 
• Game 2: Mavericks 119, Thunder 110
• Game 3: Mavericks 105, Thunder 101
• Game 4: Thunder 100, Mavericks 96
• Game 5: Mavericks 104, Thunder 92
• Game 6: Thunder vs. Mavericks, Saturday, May 18 (8:30 ET, ESPN) 
• Game 7: Mavericks vs. Thunder, Monday, May 20 (8:30 ET, TNT) *

Dallas leads the series 3-2

* = If necessary

(2) Denver vs. (3) Minnesota

• Game 1: Timberwolves 106, Nuggets 99
• Game 2: Timberwolves 106, Nuggets 80
• Game 3: Nuggets 117, Timberwolves 90
• Game 4: Nuggets 115, Timberwolves 107
• Game 5: Nuggets 112, Timberwolves 97
• Game 6: Timberwolves 115, Nuggets 70
• Game 7: Timberwolves vs. Nuggets, Sunday, May 19 (TBD, TBD) 

Denver leads the series 3-2

* = If necessary

First round schedule

Below are the results for the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs.

Eastern Conference

(1) Boston Celtics vs. (8) Miami Heat

• Game 1: Celtics 114, Heat 94
• Game 2: Heat 111, Celtics 101
• Game 3: Celtics 104, Heat 84
• Game 4: Celtics 102, Heat 88
• Game 5: Celtics 118, Heat 84

(2) New York Knicks vs. (7) Philadelphia 76ers

• Game 1: Knicks 111, 76ers 104
• Game 2: Knicks 104, 76ers 101
• Game 3: 76ers 125, Knicks 114
• Game 4: Knicks 97, 76ers 92
• Game 5: 76ers 112, Knicks 106 (OT)
• Game 6: Knicks 118, 76ers 115

(3) Milwaukee Bucks vs. (6) Indiana Pacers

• Game 1: Bucks 109, Pacers 94
• Game 2: Pacers 125, Bucks 108
• Game 3: Pacers 121, Bucks 118
• Game 4: Pacers 126, Bucks 113
• Game 5: Bucks 115, Pacers 92
• Game 6: Pacers 120, Bucks 98 

(4) Cleveland vs. (5) Orlando

• Game 1: Cavaliers 97, Magic 83
• Game 2: Cavaliers 96, Magic 86
• Game 3: Magic 121, Cavaliers 83
• Game 4: Magic 112, Cavaliers 89
• Game 5: Cavaliers 104, Magic 103
• Game 6: Magic 103, Cavaliers 96 
• Game 7: Cavaliers 106, Magic 94

Western Conference

(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) New Orleans Pelicans

• Game 1: Thunder 94, Pelicans 92
• Game 2: Thunder 124, Pelicans 92
• Game 3: Thunder 106, Pelicans 85
• Game 4: Thunder 97, Pelicans 89

(2) Denver Nuggets vs. (7) Los Angeles Lakers

• Game 1: Nuggets 114, Lakers 103
• Game 2: Nuggets 101, Lakers 99
• Game 3: Nuggets 112, Lakers 105
• Game 4: Lakers 119, Nuggets 108
• Game 5: Nuggets 108, Lakers 106

(3) Minnesota Timberwolves vs. (6) Phoenix Suns

• Game 1: Timberwolves 120, Suns 95
• Game 2: Timberwolves 105, Suns 93
• Game 3: Timberwolves 129, Suns 109
• Game 4: Timberwolves 112, Suns 116

(4) LA Clippers vs. (5) Dallas Mavericks

• Game 1: Clippers 109, Mavericks 97
• Game 2: Mavericks 96, Clippers 93
• Game 3: Mavericks 101, Clippers 90
• Game 4: Clippers 116, Mavericks 111
• Game 5: Mavericks 123, Clippers 93
• Game 6: Mavericks 114, Mavericks 101

Conference finals schedule

The conference finals will begin May 21-22, but can move up to May 19-20 if the prior round’s series ends early.

NBA Finals schedule

The 2024 NBA Finals will begin June 6, airing on ABC.

• Sunday, June 9: Game 2
• Wednesday, June 12: Game 3
• Friday, June 14: Game 4
• Monday, June 17: Game 5 (if necessary)
• Thursday, June 20: Game 6 (if necessary)
• Sunday, June 23: Game 7 (if necessary)