Luka Doncic led the Dallas Mavericks to a 109-108 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals. Doncic posted his fifth triple-double of the playoffs with 32 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds. Despite being down by 18 points late in the second quarter and 16 points midway through the third, the Mavericks staged a comeback to take a 2-0 series lead. Naz Reid was a standout for the Timberwolves, scoring 23 points, but missed a potential game-winning shot at the buzzer.
Kyrie Irving scored 20 points, including a crucial 3-pointer in the fourth quarter to help the Mavericks close the gap. The game came down to the final seconds, with turnovers on both sides leading to a one-possession game. Doncic hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 3 seconds left over Rudy Gobert, flexing his arms and celebrating as the Mavericks took the lead. Anthony Edwards struggled shooting in the series, going 11 for 33, while Towns and Gobert had strong performances with 15 and 16 points respectively.
Mike Conley contributed 18 points for the Timberwolves, but it was Naz Reid who shone, hitting 7 out of 9 3-point attempts. The game was tightly contested, with both teams exchanging leads in the final minutes. Doncic, who has been dealing with injuries, showcased his ability to dominate despite not being at full strength. His passing ability and vision on the court created problems for the Wolves’ defense.
The Timberwolves were criticized by their coaching staff for their effort and execution in Game 1, but they rebounded in Game 2 with Conley leading the offense effectively. However, Edwards struggled with shot selection and execution, while McDaniels was unable to make an impact until late in the game. The Wolves’ defense had trouble containing the Mavericks’ interior scoring, with Gafford and Lively capitalizing on opportunities in the paint.
Despite a strong offensive showing from Towns and Gobert early in the game, the Timberwolves were unable to contain the Mavericks in the paint. The Mavericks’ persistence with lob passes to their big men paid off, as they were able to score easily inside. Towns struggled with his shooting, going 4 for 16, and eventually gave way to Reid down the stretch. The Mavericks now head to Dallas for Game 3 with a 2-0 series lead, while the Timberwolves look to bounce back and turn the tide in the series.
