Luka Doncic Leads Mavericks to Game 1 Victory Over Timberwolves
Sportsgrid Staff
Host · Writer
The Dallas Mavericks managed to steal home-court advantage from the Minnesota Timberwolves with a strong start in the Western Conference Finals.
Luka Doncic led the charge, scoring 15 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter, while Kyrie Irving added 24 of his 30 points in the first half to propel the Mavericks to a 108-105 victory over the Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on Wednesday night.
Dallas dominated in the paint, outscoring Minnesota 62-38, which helped offset their 6-for-25 shooting performance from beyond the arc. The Mavericks found themselves trailing 102-98 after Anthony Edwards drained a three-pointer with 3:37 remaining. However, an 8-0 run by Dallas, capped by a crucial tip-in with 10.5 seconds left, sealed the win. This victory marked the first time in six attempts under coach Jason Kidd that the Mavericks have won the opening game of a playoff series.
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Jaden McDaniels continued his impressive postseason run for the Timberwolves, scoring 24 points, his third consecutive game with over 20 points. Despite earning his first All-NBA selection on the second team before the game, Anthony Edwards was limited to 19 points, thanks to a solid team defensive effort from the Mavericks. Karl-Anthony Towns struggled and needed a late surge to reach 16 points, ending the game shooting just 6 for 20 from the field. Naz Reid contributed 15 points, and Kyle Anderson added 11 off the bench for Minnesota, who had two days off after their dramatic Game 7 comeback against the defending champion Denver Nuggets.
As the series shifts to Game 2 on Friday in Minnesota, the Timberwolves will look to bounce back and even the series. The Mavericks, buoyed by their Game 1 victory, will aim to maintain their momentum and further disrupt the Timberwolves’ home-court advantage.
This series opener showcased the resilience and firepower of the Mavericks, with Doncic and Irving leading the way. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, will need to regroup and adjust to Dallas’s interior dominance and strategic execution as they prepare for the next matchup in what promises to be a thrilling Western Conference Finals.
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