Luka Doncic's Heroics Give Dallas Mavericks Edge With 2-0 Lead In Finals
Luka Dončić drilled a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 3 seconds remaining and finished with a triple-double as the Dallas Mavericks rallied for a 109-108 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. This victory gives the Mavericks a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference finals on Friday night.
Dončić had 32 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds for his eighth triple-double in 42 career playoff games for the Mavericks. The team erased a 16-point deficit midway through the third quarter. After winning two on the road, the Mavericks look to take a commanding 3-0 lead as the series shifts to Dallas on Sunday night.
Naz Reid scored 23 points with seven 3-pointers, but his last shot at the buzzer rimmed out as the Timberwolves endured another off night from stars Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns. Edwards had 21 points on 5-of-17 shooting, while Towns scored 15 on 4-of-16 from the field.
Jaden McDaniels, who had scored over 20 points in each of Minnesota's last three games, didn't make a basket until midway through the third quarter. He finished with two points on 1-of-6 shooting.
Kyrie Irving scored 13 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, including a crucial 3-pointer from the corner with 65 seconds left that drew Dallas within two points at 108-106. Minnesota committed two turnovers in the final moments, including one by Edwards, who threw the ball out of bounds off a drive with 13 seconds to go.
Dončić took the inbounds pass and dribbled to set up a screen for Dereck Lively II, triggering a switch by the Wolves. Rudy Gobert covered Dončić, but the Mavs superstar sank the decisive 3-pointer and celebrated as his teammates mobbed him.
Game Flow
The Wolves pushed their lead to 68-52 on Mike Conley's free throw with 9:07 left in the third quarter. However, Dallas responded by scoring eight straight points and was within two points at 79-77 on Irving's basket with 1:22 to play in the quarter.
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— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) May 25, 2024
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