By the end of the first quarter in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals, the Dallas Mavericks had silenced the Target Center and set a commanding pace for the game. Luka Dončić was on fire, leading his team to an early double-digit lead and finishing the quarter on pace for an 80-point game.
The Minnesota Timberwolves, fresh off a season-saving win two days earlier, found themselves overwhelmed and ultimately eliminated from the NBA playoffs. The Mavericks controlled the game from the start, leading 69-40 at halftime and cruising to a 124-103 victory.
Dallas now advances to the NBA Finals for the first time since their 2011 championship, set to face the Boston Celtics. The series will kick off next Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET in Boston (ABC).
Luka Dončić, the undeniable architect of the Mavericks’ triumph, delivered a stellar performance with 36 points on 14-of-22 shooting, along with 10 rebounds, five assists, and two steals. His efforts earned him the MVP title for the series, having averaged 32.4 points over five games.
Dončić’s 20-point first quarter set the tone, and the Mavericks’ lead only expanded. The second quarter featured a series of dunks that further demoralized the Timberwolves, leaving them needing the largest halftime comeback in NBA playoff history. An alley-oop from Dončić to P.J. Washington on the first play of the third quarter dashed any hopes of a Minnesota rally.
Kyrie Irving complemented Dončić’s efforts, scoring 17 second-half points and matching Dončić’s total with 36 points, five assists, and four rebounds. Mavericks rookie Dereck Lively II also made history by finishing 16-of-16 from the field in the series, many of which were easy alley-oops.
With three minutes remaining, the Timberwolves conceded defeat, and Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban celebrated with his players on the sideline. The Mavericks’ dominant performance has set the stage for an exciting NBA Finals showdown against the Celtics.
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