Luka Doncic hit a game-winning shot, giving the Mavericks a 2-0 lead against the Timberwolves in the Western Conference finals.
Doncic, with the clock ticking down, used a screen to draw Rudy Gobert, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, out to the top of the key and executed a crossover dribble to set up his step-back 3-pointer.
Doncic’s shot with 3 seconds left secured a 109-108 victory for Dallas, marking his fifth triple-double of the playoffs.
Doncic finished with 32 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds, leading the Mavericks to a comeback from an 18-point deficit. The Slovenian superstar, dealing with a sprained knee and ankle soreness, showed resilience throughout the game.
Naz Reid scored 23 points for Minnesota, but his last-second shot rimmed out, sending the Timberwolves to Dallas down 2-0.
Kyrie Irving added 20 points for Dallas, including a crucial 3-pointer with 1:05 left. Daniel Gafford added 16 points on 8-for-10 shooting. Dereck Lively II contributed 14 points and nine rebounds off the bench.
Anthony Edwards, who had 21 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns (15 points, 7 rebounds) had another off night for Minnesota. Mike Conley scored 18 points, and Gobert had 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Timberwolves.
The game was tightly contested, with neither team leading by more than three points in the final minutes.
The series now shifts to Dallas, where the Timberwolves face a daunting task in Game 3. With their backs against the wall, Minnesota must find a way to contain Doncic and Irving in the upcoming games.
