Irving’s 39 Points Not Enough as Mavericks Fall to Timberwolves, Dončić Suffers Injury, and Thompson Makes History: “This Time Fights”

The Dallas Mavericks (19-11) faced adversity on Christmas Day as Luka Dončić exited the game with a left calf strain, ultimately falling 105-99 to the Minnesota Timberwolves (15-14) at American Airlines Center. The defeat marked Dallas’ fourth loss in eight Christmas Day appearances.

Dončić’s injury late in the second quarter left the Mavericks without their star player for the remainder of the contest. He contributed 14 points, converting five of nine field goal attempts and three of five shots from beyond the arc. Dončić also tallied five rebounds, two assists, and one steal in just 16 minutes of action.

The Slovenian superstar’s injury forced Kyrie Irving to shoulder the offensive burden. Irving recorded a game-high 39 points on 14-of-27 shooting, including five made three-pointers and six successful free throws. Despite Irving’s efforts, Dallas was unable to complete the comeback.

Fast Start, Sudden Setback for Dallas Mavericks

Dončić asserted his influence early, orchestrating the offense and connecting with Dereck Lively II for an alley-oop while knocking down perimeter shots to pace the Mavericks. Alongside Irving, the duo accounted for all 15 of Dallas’ initial points, whether scoring or assisting. Dončić exploited Rudy Gobert’s drop coverage, capitalizing on space from mid-range and beyond the arc.

Minnesota matched Dallas’ energy with Anthony Edwards getting to his spots early, hitting pull-up jumpers and three-pointers to keep the game tight. Klay Thompson added a spark for Dallas, hitting timely threes, including one that tied him with Reggie Miller for fifth all-time on the NBA’s three-point leaderboard.

However, just over two minutes remaining in the second quarter, Dončić sustained a non-contact injury on a drive to the basket. He grimaced and signaled discomfort before leaving the court at the next stoppage of play.

“Just being human and seeing one of your brothers go down… you still have to regulate your emotions, and that can be difficult. We were just riding the waves of that and then being able to respond after halftime,” Irving said, describing the emotional toll of seeing Dončić leave and the mental reset required to continue competing without him.

Minnesota capitalized on Dončić’s absence, closing the half with a 10-2 run that extended their lead to 53-38. The Timberwolves pushed their advantage to as much as 28 points in the third quarter, forcing Dallas to mount a furious comeback in the final frame. Minnesota took advantage of defensive lapses along the way, with Edwards and Julius Randle leading the charge. Edwards finished with 26 points, hitting 11 of 24 shots while grabbing eight rebounds.

Randle contributed a well-rounded performance, scoring 23 points on six-of-13 shooting, including three-of-five from beyond the arc. He also secured 10 rebounds and dished out eight assists, anchoring Minnesota’s offense with steady production.

“We just didn’t match their energy in that second quarter,” Jason Kidd said, reflecting on the Mavericks’ sluggish defense and missed assignments that allowed Minnesota to build a commanding lead. “Against a team like Minnesota, you can’t afford to fall behind by that much.”

Kyrie Irving’s Offensive Explosion

In Dončić’s absence, Irving led the charge in the second half, scoring 24 of his 39 points after intermission. His relentless attack on Gobert in pick-and-roll situations created opportunities for Dallas to close the gap. Irving danced around screens, showcased his mid-range touch, and fearlessly drove to the rim despite Minnesota’s size.

“Seeing Luka go down was tough, but we had to stay composed and respond. It’s always hard to see one of your brothers go down, especially someone who means so much to the team,” Irving said. “But we couldn’t let it derail us. We felt like we had a chance going into the fourth quarter, even with the deficit. This team fights. That’s who we are – we’re resilient, and we’re going to give everything we have regardless of the situation. We just came up short tonight.”

Quentin Grimes provided critical support off the bench, tallying 10 points and seven rebounds while converting two three-pointers. His defensive energy and perimeter shooting allowed Dallas to narrow the gap entering the fourth quarter.

“We lacked urgency early on. I think we just weren’t playing with the force we needed to for most of the game,” Thompson said. “But once we brought the defensive energy and started making the right plays, we were able to shift momentum. It just wasn’t enough to overcome the hole we put ourselves in.”

Dallas held Minnesota to 15 points in the fourth quarter, matching the Timberwolves’ lowest-scoring period of the season. The defensive stand mirrored Dallas’ best defensive quarter of the year when they limited the New York Knicks to 15 points on November 27.

Klay Thompson Makes NBA History

With Dončić sidelined, Thompson’s scoring became even more crucial. His third three-pointer of the night marked his 2,561st career make from deep, surpassing Reggie Miller for fifth place on the all-time list.

“It does suck we lost. I’m really proud, though, of our fight, especially in the second half,” Thompson said, pausing to emphasize the importance of perseverance even when the scoreboard didn’t favor Dallas. “We were tenacious defensively, and we unlocked some things offensively.”

Thompson described how special it was to pass Miller, sharing that he would keep the game ball but give the NBA legend his inscribed jersey. Growing up, Thompson greatly admired Miller’s impact on the game.

“As far as passing Reggie, it’s honestly a dream come true,” Thompson said. “I’m gonna celebrate it tonight because just thinking about all the hours you spend shooting, all the shots you’ve gotten up in your lifetime, and to pass such an icon like Reggie is super surreal for me. Especially being a 90’s baby, I watched him hit so many game-winners, battle against the best that ever played, and leave it all out on the floor.”

After their time together on Team USA and various NBA Finals battles, Irving, now Thompson’s teammate with the Maveric,ks acknowledged the achievement’s significance.

“I congratulated him after the game and told him I was proud of him,” Irving said, reflecting on the bond between elite shooters. “I also told him he should have been fifth a long time ago. We know how special he is—not just as a shooter, but as a winner.”

Final Push and Missed Opportunities

Dallas methodically chipped away at Minnesota’s lead in the closing minutes, setting the stage for a tense final stretch. With under two minutes left, the Mavericks challenged a foul called on Irving’s drive to the rim. Upon review, the officials determined that Irving had drawn illegal contact, awarding him three crucial free throws. Calmly stepping to the line, Irving converted all three attempts, shrinking the Timberwolves’ lead to 99-97.

On the next possession, the Mavericks orchestrated a clean look for Thompson, who found himself open in the corner following a crisp ball rotation. Thompson, as he had done countless times before, buried the three-pointer, bringing Dallas within two points at 101-99.

The momentum shifted in Dallas’ favor, but the Mavericks couldn’t capitalize in the final possessions. With the game on the line, Irving sized up his defender and launched a step-back three that could have put Dallas ahead for the first time since Dončić’s exit. The shot, however, fell just short, hitting the front rim.

“I was calling for the dagger, shooting that three to give us some space possession-wise, but it just didn’t work out,” Irving said, reflecting on the moment. “It felt good coming off my hand, but sometimes that’s just how the game goes. I’ll take that shot every time in that situation.”

Irving acknowledged the disappointment of missing the potential game-winner but took pride in the team’s resilience.

“I’m just grateful that we didn’t give up and responded to keep the game close,” Irving said. “It shows the character of this team. That fight, even when things weren’t going our way, is what we’ll carry into the next game. It’s easy to let frustration take over, but we stayed together, and that’s something we can build on moving forward.”

Dallas Mavericks’ Road Ahead Without Luka Dončić

Dallas embarks on a four-game road trip, beginning with a back-to-back set against Phoenix and Portland before facing Sacramento and Houston to close the stretch. The road trip presents a critical test for the Mavericks, who must find stability without Dončić if he remains sidelined.

“Injuries happen, and you can’t dwell on them. The schedule doesn’t stop,” Kidd said. “We trust the group we have to compete every night, regardless of who’s out there. These stretches without key players show a lot about a team’s character.”

Dončić will undergo an MRI on Thursday to determine the severity of the injury, but he left the American Airlines Center on crutches. Based on his history of calf injuries, he could be sidelined for some time.

The Mavericks have a 6-2 record in games played without Dončić, but Irving emphasized the Slovenian superstar’s importance to the team.

“We’ve done well without Luka at times, but I’d rather have him healthy,” Irving said. “When one of your leaders goes down, the rest of the team has to step up in every way—whether that’s scoring, defending, or just bringing energy. This road trip is an opportunity for us to grow stronger as a unit.”

The Mavericks tip off against the Suns on Friday at 8:00 p.m. CST at Footprint Center.