In an impressive display, Luka Doncic propelled the Dallas Mavericks to a 108-105 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals. Doncic showcased his skills by delivering clutch shots, drawing fouls, and playing tenacious defense.
Despite not being the favored team in this series, the Mavericks managed to snatch the home-court advantage away from the Timberwolves with a promising start. Doncic was the standout performer, scoring 33 points, with 15 of them coming in the crucial fourth quarter. Kyrie Irving also made a significant contribution with 30 points, 24 of which were scored in the first half.
The Mavericks dominated in the paint, outscoring the Timberwolves by a staggering 62-38 margin. This compensated for their struggles from beyond the arc, where they only managed to convert 6 of their 25 attempts.
Doncic’s scoring spree in the fourth quarter proved pivotal, as he scored seven consecutive points in just over a minute to ignite a 13-0 run by the Mavericks. This surge gave them a commanding 97-89 lead.
Overall, the Mavericks displayed their resilience and determination, setting the tone for an exciting series ahead in the Western Conference finals.
Under coach Jason Kidd, the Mavericks finally achieved their first victory in the opening game of a playoff series. The game was intense, with the Mavericks trailing 102-98 after a clutch 3-pointer by Anthony Edwards with 3:37 remaining. However, the Mavericks responded with an impressive 8-0 run that the Wolves couldn’t halt until a tip-in with only 10.5 seconds left on the clock. This victory marked a significant milestone for the Mavericks, breaking a six-game losing streak in opening playoff games under Coach Kidd’s leadership.