GENERAL NEWS

Mavs take commanding 3-0 lead over Wolves behind big nights from Luka, Kyrie

May 26, 2024, 8:08 PM

Luka Doncic #77 celebrates with Kyrie Irving #11of the Dallas Mavericks after defeating the Minneso...

Luka Doncic #77 celebrates with Kyrie Irving #11of the Dallas Mavericks after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving scored 33 points apiece and the Dallas Mavericks made all the big plays late again, beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 116-107 on Sunday night for a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference finals.

The Mavericks closed with a 12-3 run, winning their fifth consecutive playoff game after rookie center Dereck Lively II left with a sprained neck after taking an accidental shot to the back of the head from Karl-Anthony Towns’ knee.

No team in NBA playoff history has rallied from 3-0 down. Game 4 is Tuesday night in Dallas.

P.J. Washington started the decisive run with a corner 3-pointer after Doncic passed to Irving, who sent the ball to Washington.

The co-stars took over from there.

Doncic hit a shot in the lane for a four-point lead, Irving sent the crowd into a frenzy with on a falling-down jumper and Doncic found Daniel Gafford for an alley-oop dunk and a 113-105 lead with 34 seconds left after Gafford blocked Mike Conley’s layup attempt at the other end.

Anthony Edwards had 26 points for the Wolves, but just four after scoring eight consecutive points for Minnesota to get the Wolves even in the third quarter.

Towns scored 14 points but missed all eight 3s, including one when the deficit was four with 1:25 remaining.

Doncic, whose game-winning 3-pointer in the final seconds of Game 2 in Minnesota put Dallas firmly in control of the series, was 10 of 20 and 5 of 11 from deep.

Irving made 12 of 20 and 3 of 6 from long range to get the Mavs within a victory of their first trip to the NBA Finals since 2011, when they won the franchise’s only championship.

In the second quarter, Lively absorbed the kind of contact normally found on football fields not far from Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, the quarterback-tight end pair sitting courtside.

The rookie from Duke stayed on the court holding his head after it snapped forward on the accidental contact. Lively was down for several minutes before appearing dazed as he was helped off the court and taken to the locker room.

Lively fell as Mike Conley was driving for a missed shot, and Towns was pursuing an offensive rebound when his knee hit Lively’s head in the second quarter.

The 20-year-old Lively and starting center Daniel Gafford played a big role in helping Dallas take a 2-0 lead. Lively is 12 of 12 from the field in the series, including three makes in Game 3.

General News

WM Phoenix Open...

Alex Weiner

WM Phoenix Open announces Pro-Am pairings, including Corbin Burnes and Jonathan Gannon

The WM Phoenix Open revealed Pro-Am pairings for Wednesday at TCP Scottsdale, including a group with Corbin Burnes and Jonathan Gannon.

4 days ago

Arizona Sports 98.7 program director Erin Maloney...

Arizona Sports

Erin Maloney named program director for Arizona Sports 98.7, ESPN 620

Bonneville Phoenix announced Thursday that Erin Maloney has been named program director at Arizona Sports 98.7 and ESPN 620.

9 days ago

Scottie Scheffler...

Arizona Sports

Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler commits to WM Phoenix Open

Scottie Scheffler, the top-ranked golfer in the world, has committed to play the 2025 WM Phoenix Open, chairman Matt Mooney announced.

10 days ago

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith celebrates after scoring against Notre Dame during first ha...

Associated Press

Ohio State wins 1st national title since 2014, outlasting Notre Dame in CFP championship game

Ohio State can celebrate another title after holding off a Notre Dame comeback bid to walk away with a 34-23 victory over the Fighting Irish.

19 days ago

Notre Dame...

Associated Press

Notre Dame advances to national championship with game-winning kick vs. Penn State

Notre Dame gets late interception and field goal to make national championship game with Orange Bowl win over Penn State.

29 days ago

Sugar Bowl, New Orleans...

Associated Press

Sugar Bowl between Georgia, Notre Dame postponed after deadly attack in New Orleans

The Sugar Bowl between Georgia and Notre Dame in New Orleans was postponed after a truck plowed into a New Year’s crowd early Wednesday.

1 month ago

Mavs take commanding 3-0 lead over Wolves behind big nights from Luka, Kyrie