By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Stealing homecourt advantage from the top of the Western Conference Finals of the 2024 NBA Playoffs Presented by Google Pixel, the Dallas Mavericks went up 1-0 in a best-of-seven series versus the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Luka Doncic scored 15 points in the fourth quarter of Game 1, sending his side to a win, 108-105, in Target Center on Wednesday.
Named in the All-NBA First Team for a fifth year in a row before tipoff, the Slovenian sensation went on to score 33 points behind 12/26 field goals. He added eight assists, six rebounds, three steals, and one block over 40 minutes.
“We made important ones,” he described resurgence in the fourth period.
Dealing with a right knee sprain and left ankle soreness, Doncic was cleared, as expected. In contrast, German Maxi Kleber (right shoulder) remained on the injury list of the team coached by Jason Kidd.
Kyrie Irving ended up with 30 points, after piling up 24 points in the first half. “He got us going. Without him, we would probably be down 20 at halftime,” noted Doncic.
On the losing end, French Rudy Gobert finished with 12 points, seven rebounds, two blocks, one steal, and one assist, lasting 37 minutes in Game 1. Naturalized Bosnian Luka Garza stayed on the bench.
The first postseason meeting between the Mavs and Wolves since 2002 and the second ever continues in Target Center on Friday. Moving the series to Dallas, Game 3 marks the next installment of NBA Sundays.