MINNEAPOLIS – The Dallas Mavericks won a close one in Minnesota after defeating the Timberwolves 108-105 to take game 1 in the Western Conference Finals.
Luka Doncic led the Mavericks down the stretch dropping crucial buckets to help lift Dallas over Minnesota.
Doncic finished the game with 33 points, eight assists, and six rebounds with 15 of his 33 points coming in the fourth quarter.
Kyrie Irving wasn’t far from Doncic in scoring as he finished strong with 30 points, 24 of which came in the first half.
With 3:37 left in the fourth quarter, Dallas trailed 102-98 after a 3-pointer by Anthony Edwards but went on an 8-0 run before Minnesota stopped them with 10.5 seconds left.
Edwards garnered a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Jaden McDaniels scored a third straight 20-plus-point game with 24 points.
Karl-Anthony Towns went 6 for 20 from the floor, scoring 16 points.
For the first time in the 2024 NBA Playoffs, Dallas has taken the first game in a series.
The Mavericks defense came alive to help them beat the Wolves.
Doncic had a crucial steal, breaking up a pass from Mike Conley with 1.06 left.
Game 2 will be in Minnesota on Friday night.