The Dallas Mavericks have taken a commanding 2-0 lead in the Western Conference finals after a thrilling 109-108 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Luka Doncic’s game-winning step-back 3-pointer over Rudy Gobert with three seconds left capped off a dramatic comeback for Dallas, which trailed by as many as 18 points.
Luka Doncic was unstoppable, recording a triple-double with 32 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds. He was supported by Kyrie Irving, who added 20 points and went 4-for-7 from 3-point range. As the series shifts to Dallas for Game 3 on Sunday, the Dallas Mavericks are riding high on momentum.
Timberwolves’ Fatigue Shows in Second Half
The Timberwolves started strong but seemed to run out of gas after halftime. Anthony Edwards, who finished with 21 points, only managed eight points in the second half. Karl-Anthony Towns struggled offensively, scoring just 15 points on 4-for-16 shooting.
His subpar performance led to him being benched down the stretch in favor of Naz Reid, who was on fire, hitting 7-of-9 from 3-point range and scoring 23 points. However, Reid’s potential game-winning 3-pointer rimmed out at the buzzer, sealing Minnesota’s fate.
Luka Doncic’s Late-Game Brilliance
Luka Doncic‘s clutch performance is the talk of the series. His game-winner over Rudy Gobert highlighted a strategic misstep by the Timberwolves, who allowed Luka Doncic to exploit a one-on-one matchup with the four-time Defensive Player of the Year.
“I was, a little bit, yeah, actually,” Luka Doncic said when asked if he was surprised by the Wolves’ decision to switch on the play. “I think they were going like, just no 3s. So, he tried to stay up. But I saw the space, and get to my spot. … I mean, he’s long enough. He can’t move — I can’t move fast, but I can move faster than him.”
The Wolves’ defense struggled to contain Luka Doncic all night. Whether they blitzed or dropped their bigs in the pick-and-roll, Luka Doncic consistently found ways to exploit the mismatches and deliver pinpoint passes.
Anthony Edwards: Running on Fumes
Anthony Edwards has been a cornerstone for the Timberwolves throughout the playoffs, but his heavy workload seems to be taking its toll. Having to guard top players like Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Jamal Murray, and now Kyrie Irving in consecutive series is no easy feat. Reports suggest Edwards needed oxygen when subbed out in the fourth quarter, hinting at his exhaustion.
Edwards admitted to “turning down a lot of shots,” which he attributed to trying to make the right play within the offense. However, it was clear that fatigue was affecting his shooting legs. In the conference finals, Edwards is shooting just 33% from the field and 37% from 3-point range, a noticeable drop from his postseason averages.
Dominance of Dallas’ Twin Towers
Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II have been invaluable for the Dallas Mavericks this postseason. In Game 2, they combined for 30 points, 14 rebounds, and five blocks, with all the blocks coming from Gafford. Their defensive presence protected the paint, and their ability to catch lobs from Luka Doncic and Irving kept the Timberwolves’ defense on its heels.
The big men combined for an impressive 11 dunks on the night, underscoring their dominance in the paint. The chemistry between Gafford and Lively has been a game-changer for Dallas, especially with Maxi Kleber sidelined.
Looking Ahead to Game 3
As the series heads to Dallas, the Mavericks are in a prime position to advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2011. The Timberwolves will need to find answers quickly to avoid falling into an insurmountable 3-0 hole. Key adjustments, particularly in how they defend Luka Doncic and manage their rotations, will be crucial.
The Dallas Mavericks’ resilience and star power have them poised for success, but the Timberwolves, led by a determined Anthony Edwards, will look to claw their way back into the series.
Game 3 promises to be another thrilling chapter in this Western Conference showdown.
