What is OKC Thunder's nightmare playoff matchup? How about Luka Doncic, Mavericks?

The Oklahoma City Thunder is expected to be one of the more dangerous teams in the upcoming playoffs.

The Thunder (49-20) sits atop the Western Conference standings, and it's led by an MVP candidate in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Still, the young group could fall victim to an early exit in a stacked Western Conference.

In a recent article titled "Nightmare matchups for projected 2024 NBA playoff teams," Bleacher Report listed the Dallas Mavericks as OKC's toughest possible opponent.

OKC is 2-1 this season against Dallas. But in the Thunder's two victories, which came by an average of 6.5 points, the Mavericks were missing either Luka Doncic or Kyrie Irving.

In the one game when the duo did play together, Dallas earned a 146-111 home win over OKC on Feb. 10.

More: Thunder vs Raptors recap: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 23 points as OKC topples Toronto

Plenty of playoff teams are surely hoping to avoid Dallas (41-29), which is currently the No. 6 seed. The Mavericks are on a three-game winning streak, and they're deeper since acquiring Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington at the trade deadline.

Still, OKC should feel good about its chances if it gets matched up with Dallas.

The Thunder has Lu Dort, a stocky defender who can make life difficult for the bigger Doncic. And while Gafford and Washington are good defensive additions, the Mavericks can't be counted on to contain Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams for a seven-game series.

A potential playoff meeting between OKC and Dallas is up in the air, but the two teams will meet up at least one more time. The Thunder is scheduled to conclude its regular season with a home game against the Mavericks on April 14.

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder playoff scenarios: Are Dallas Mavericks nightmare matchup?