Kyrie Irving helps Mavericks close out win over Timberwolves
The last time the Timberwolves faced the Dallas Mavericks, they didn’t have star guards Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic. That wasn’t the case during a neck-and-neck contest Sunday in Dallas.
Irving, who also missed the Dallas' first matchup against Minnesota, hit a 3-pointer to tie the game at 106-106 with 2 minutes, 59 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
Then he hit another to put the Mavericks ahead 109-106.
Irving's clutch shots helped the Mavericks close out a 115-108 over the Wolves despite his team trailing by six with just under four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. It’s Minnesota’s third loss in its last four contests.
“We got down, we came back, took the lead. Normally we’ve been winning those games but today we didn’t,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch told reporters postgame.
Irving and Doncic combined for 69 points in the Mavericks’ victory, with Irving tallying 35 points, eight rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks and Doncic recording 34 points, eight assists, six rebounds and a steal.
Dallas (22-15) took a four-point halftime lead with Irving and Doncic scoring 17 points apiece in the opening 24 minutes. Anthony Edwards battled through foul trouble but still finished his night with a game-high 36 points to go along with 10 rebounds, three assists, three steals, a block and just two turnovers.
Karl-Anthony Towns provided some additional offense with 24 points and seven rebounds, and the Wolves (25-10) got 15 points off the bench from Naz Reid. Rudy Gobert had nine points and 17 rebounds.
But Irving's clutch shots late spoiled a Wolves rally that saw them take a six-point lead with 3 minutes, 53 seconds remaining despite entering the fourth quarter down nine.
Final key stats
- Anthony Edwards: 36 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 1 block
- Karl-Anthony Towns: 24 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 assist
- Naz Reid: 15 points, 9 rebounds
- Rudy Gobert: 9 points, 17 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal (5 turnovers)
- Mike Conley: 9 points, 7 assists, 1 rebound
- Kyrie Irving: 35 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks
- Luka Doncic: 34 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds, 1 steal
- Derrick Jones Jr.: 12 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks, 1 assist, 1 steal
- Tim Hardaway Jr.: 12 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist
