Mavericks fend off Timberwolves 120-114 in West finals rematch behind Irving’s 35 points

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Kyrie Irving lit up the court with 16 of his 35 points during a pivotal third quarter, while Luka Doncic added a late-game surge to finish with 24 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds. The Dallas Mavericks fended off the Minnesota Timberwolves for a 120-114 victory on Tuesday, marking the first rematch since last season’s Western Conference finals.

Anthony Edwards set a Target Center record by scoring 24 of his 37 points in the first quarter, showcasing his shooting prowess with 7 of 13 from beyond the arc, though he struggled at the free-throw line, hitting just 6 of 12 attempts.

Doncic made a decisive statement late in the game, sinking a deep 33-footer with 1:04 remaining to extend the Mavericks’ lead to eight points. He celebrated by engaging with fans as he headed back to the bench after a timeout, despite struggling from three-point range, finishing 1 for 9.

P.J. Washington contributed 17 points and eight rebounds for Dallas, who was playing their second game in two nights after a 110-102 win over Utah. In that game, Doncic had a rough outing, going 5 for 22 from the field and 1 for 9 from three-point territory.

For the Timberwolves, Julius Randle delivered a solid performance with 20 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. Irving showcased his shooting skills, hitting 6 of 8 from beyond the arc, including a crucial basket with 2:31 left in the game while being closely guarded by Randle as the Timberwolves closed in at 109-107.

Looking ahead, the Mavericks will host the Houston Rockets on Thursday night, while the Timberwolves are set to take on the Denver Nuggets on Friday.