Luka Doncic’s moment finally arrives, Minnesota is forced to wait for its and Kyrie ‘The Closer’ shines in closeout win.
The Dallas Mavericks ended the Western Conference Finals just as they started it: with a commanding lead. This time, they sealed the deal.
There would be no historic comeback—or collapse—because Luka Doncic, eager for his first NBA championship, had other plans for the Timberwolves. Like, vacation plans.
Doncic dropped 20 points before the first quarter ended Thursday, overwhelming the Target Center and the Wolves. After a 3-0 series lead and a brief stumble, the Mavericks clinched the series in five games, advancing to their first NBA Finals since 2011.
It’s Boston vs. Dallas, Doncic and Kyrie Irving vs. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, in a championship series expected to be longer than the East (Celtics sweep) or West (Mavs in five) Finals.
Here are five takeaways from the Mavs’ convincing 124-103 clincher, taking them from the Draft Lottery to the Finals in one year.
1. First Finals for Doncic
This was inevitable. This year? Not guaranteed until Doncic’s performance demanded it, especially in this series. Doncic, at 25, has the experience and motivation to take the next step. “It means a lot,” he said. “It’s a hard road. But this is where we are. We’re here because we deserve to be here.” He had help, especially from Kyrie Irving, whose skills and cooperation were crucial. The midseason addition of P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford, and the drafting of Dereck Lively II, also balanced the Mavs’ frontline. But Doncic’s leadership was pivotal, as shown in Game 5’s first two minutes when he outscored the Wolves and set the tone for Dallas.
2. Doncic Meant Business from the Jump
Doncic’s dominance was evident, earning him the Magic Johnson Trophy for series MVP. He scored 20 points in the first quarter (12 in the first 153 seconds), leaving the Wolves with 19.
Doncic’s performance silenced the crowd and set the pace. “He took the crowd out of the game,” said Coach Jason Kidd. Lively added, “When I saw him going off like that, my reaction was the same as everyone else’s—get him the ball.”
3. Irving with Another Strong Response
By the time Irving warmed up, the game was out of hand. He delivered 15 of his 36 points in the second quarter, continuing the tag-team dominance with Doncic.
Irving’s experience—this being his fourth trip to the Finals—proved invaluable. Kidd praised their partnership: “Luka sent a message to Ky, and Ky took over in the second half.”
Next, Irving faces his former team, the Celtics, a match with mixed feelings due to his controversial departure in 2019. Irving remained focused on the future: “Boston is between our goal. That’s it.”
4. Dallas’ Defense Was Better Than Minnesota’s
Pre-series projections didn’t favor Dallas’ defense, but they outperformed the Wolves. The Mavericks’ double-teams and passing lane disruptions were effective, evident in the closeout game.
Anthony Edwards was forced to surrender the ball, and Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels struggled. The Wolves shot just 31% from deep, a consistent issue in this series.
5. A Comedown for Edwards
Edwards, despite a strong postseason start, couldn’t maintain his impact against the Mavericks. His inefficiency became evident, and even his 28 points on Thursday were in a game already out of reach.
At 22, this postseason was a growth experience for Edwards. It’s a reminder of the challenges in being labeled “the next superstar.” Edwards remained optimistic: “I look forward to being right back in this situation next year.”
