Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving each score 33 points as Mavs beat Wolves for 3-0 lead in West finals

DALLAS, TX – Once again, the Mavericks showcased their prowess, dominating both ends of the court and edging closer to their first NBA Finals appearance in over a decade. Led by the dynamic duo of Doncic and Kyrie Irving, who each tallied 33 points, Dallas surged past the Minnesota Timberwolves with a final score of 116-107, securing a commanding 3-0 lead in the Western Conference finals.

The Mavericks’ victory was sealed with a decisive burst in the last five minutes of the game, despite facing adversity when rookie center Dereck Lively II exited due to a sprained neck following an accidental collision with Karl-Anthony Towns’ knee. With a remarkable 14-3 run to close out the game, Dallas extended their playoff winning streak to five games.

P.J. Washington Jr., contributing 16 points, broke the tie with a crucial corner 3-pointer, propelled by a slick pass sequence from Doncic to Irving and finally to Washington. From there, the Mavericks’ stars took over, with Doncic sinking a pivotal shot in the paint and Irving igniting the crowd with a sensational falling-down jumper. The game was sealed with an alley-oop dunk from Doncic to Daniel Gafford, pushing the lead to 113-105 with just seconds remaining.

Despite a strong performance from Anthony Edwards, who notched 26 points, the Timberwolves faltered down the stretch, unable to capitalize on opportunities. Towns, though scoring 14 points, struggled from beyond the arc, missing all eight attempts.

With Dirk Nowitzki, the 2011 NBA Finals MVP, observing from center court, the Mavericks are on the cusp of reaching the pinnacle of basketball once again. Their last appearance in the Finals was marked by Nowitzki’s leadership, guiding them to their sole championship victory.

As for the Timberwolves, Edwards remained optimistic despite the daunting 3-0 deficit, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and taking it one game at a time.

The game was marred by a concerning incident in the second quarter when Lively suffered a neck injury following a collision with Towns. Lively, a standout rookie from Duke, had been instrumental in Dallas’ previous victories, showcasing his prowess with a flawless shooting record in the series.

With Game 4 looming, both teams brace for another intense showdown, each striving to secure a pivotal win in their quest for NBA glory.