DALLAS (AP) — Kyrie Irving’s clutch shooting and a game-high 35 points powered the Dallas Mavericks to a 115-108 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night. Irving showcased his sharpshooting skills, going 14 of 27 from the field and an impressive 6 of 8 from beyond the arc. Luka Doncic complemented Irving’s performance with 34 points, adding to the Mavericks’ offensive firepower.
The game’s pivotal moment came in the final minutes, with Irving’s 3-pointer from the top of the arc tying the game at 106 with just under three minutes remaining. He then followed up with a crucial steal from Rudy Gobert and sank another 3-pointer from the corner, pushing the Mavericks ahead. Derrick Jones Jr. cemented the Mavericks’ win with a driving dunk in the last 24 seconds.
Irving acknowledged the team’s effort against the Timberwolves’ formidable frontcourt, saying, “Little things got us this win today.”
Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 36 points, but his effort wasn’t enough to secure a win. Minnesota had previously won the first two meetings this season.
This victory was significant for the Mavericks (22-15), who showcased their mettle against the Timberwolves, the top team in the Western Conference and statistically the best clutch team in the NBA. Dallas improved its record to 12-5 in clutch games, demonstrating their ability to perform under pressure.
Minnesota (25-10) still maintains a strong position in the Western Conference, second only to the Boston Celtics. However, this loss to the seventh-seeded Mavericks, who are just behind the New Orleans Pelicans, highlights the competitive nature of the Western Conference.
The Timberwolves led by six points with less than four minutes remaining, thanks to a 19-4 run. However, Dallas, fueled by Irving’s back-to-back 3-pointers and a combined scoring surge from him and Doncic, managed to turn the tide in their favor.
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch reflected on the game, noting the team’s effort but acknowledging the need for better execution in crucial moments.
The Mavericks excelled on defense with eight blocks and seven steals, with Irving contributing two blocks and three steals. Despite being outrebounded in the first half, Dallas matched Minnesota on the boards in the second half, each finishing with 25 rebounds.
Karl-Anthony Towns, who scored 8 of 16 from the field, recognized the challenges posed by the Mavericks’ defense. “They made some tough shots – we had to make some tough shots to fight back into this game as a team. We just didn’t find a different way to win tonight,” he said.
Dallas achieved this victory despite missing key players Dante Exum, Maxi Kleber, and Dereck Lively II due to injuries.
Looking forward, the Timberwolves will face Orlando on Tuesday, while the Mavericks host Memphis the same day.
