Irving’s Scoring Surge, Dončić’s Dagger Lift Mavericks Past Timberwolves in Playoff-Level Showdown

The Mavericks’ frontcourt also delivered. P.J. Washington added 17 points, 8 rebounds (4 offensive), and 3 steals, providing physicality on both ends. Daniel Gafford was perfect from the field with 14 points on 6-of-6 shooting, while rookie Dereck Lively II anchored the paint with 9 rebounds, 5 points, 3 steals, and a block, showcasing his defensive impact. Klay Thompson totaled 7 points on 2-of-7 shooting from deep. However, Quentin Grimes stepped up after coming off the bench with 9 points, while Naji Marshall added 4 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists.

Anthony Edwards scored 24 of his 37 points for Minnesota in the first quarter, shooting 7-of-13 from deep, but Dallas adjusted in the second half. Rudy Gobert contributed 14 points and 11 rebounds, and Julius Randle added 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists as the Timberwolves kept the game close.

Edwards’ Electric Start and Dallas’s Early Defensive Struggles

The content below was originally paywalled.

Minnesota set a fierce tone right from the tip-off, with Edwards launching a record-breaking first quarter. Scoring 24 points on seven of 13 shooting from beyond the arc, he lit up the Target Center and had the Mavericks’ defense scrambling, pulling Minnesota to a double-digit lead.

Irving captured the Mavericks’ early mindset, noting, “We could tell it was very personal for [Edwards]… we were only down by about six or eight points after the first quarter, so we felt like we were in a good position.”

Though trailing 39-31, Dallas stayed within striking distance thanks to timely contributions from Gafford and Washington. They held the line defensively, bringing physicality to counter Minnesota’s intensity and keeping the Timberwolves from fully breaking away.

Injury Scares Test Dallas’s Depth and Defensive Resilience

Early in the second quarter, Dallas faced a critical test as Gafford took a hard hit from Naz Reid and briefly left the game. Minnesota quickly capitalized on his absence, adding points in the paint and extending their lead. Gafford’s eventual return helped stabilize the Mavericks’ interior defense, but the team soon faced another setback.

With just over a minute left in the first half, Dončić drove into the lane only to take an inadvertent knee to the back of his right leg from Jaden McDaniels. Grimacing, he signaled for a sub and limped to the locker room, leaving the Mavericks uncertain about his status heading into the half.

“Yeah, just got a little scared—a lot of injuries happening,” Dončić explained. “I felt a little something, but I was fine pretty soon after. I stopped, and somebody hit me from behind, and my knee went forward. Not a good feeling at all.”

Despite Dončić’s absence, Dallas closed the half trailing by only six, down 64-58. A defensive adjustment to contain Minnesota’s three-point shooting allowed them to stay within range.

“They’re a great team, but we knew if we took away some of their easy threes—like not leaving the corners or rotating too early off shooters—that we’d have a better shot,” Irving explained of the strategic shift.

Irving’s Scoring Run Sparks Mavericks’ Rally as Dončić Rejoins

Returning to start the third quarter, Dončić’s presence alone seemed to spark Dallas. But Irving took control, scoring 16 of his 35 points in the period. Irving ignited a 27-8 run after the Mavericks were down six at halftime, relentlessly attacking the Timberwolves’ defense and draining critical shots to regain momentum in Dallas’s favor.

Irving reflected on his aggressive play, “I think it was really about trying to catch a flow in the game. We have so much talent, especially on offense, that there’s no need to press at any point… Sometimes you can get caught watching someone else’s greatness, so it’s all about making the little plays, setting screens, and giving yourself up for your teammates.”

This offensive surge helped the Mavericks turn their halftime deficit into an 88-77 lead by the end of the third. Although Dončić continued to struggle with his shot, he contributed in other ways, grabbing rebounds, creating plays for his teammates, and handling the Timberwolves’ pressure with composure.

“I just needed to find my rhythm,” Dončić explained. “I didn’t play the whole preseason, so I need some rest. But we got the win, and that’s all that matters.”

Timberwolves Rally, Dončić’s Clutch Gene Shines

With Minnesota determined to make it a tight finish, Gobert and Edwards spearheaded a late comeback, cutting Dallas’s lead to 109-107 with just over three minutes left. Target Center roared as the Timberwolves closed in. Still, Irving again steadied the Mavericks, draining a high-arcing three-pointer over Randle after continuing to draw favorable switches to push the lead back to five.

Dallas needed one last dagger to secure the win as the Timberwolves continued to apply pressure. With the shot clock winding down, Dončić stepped back from 33 feet—having missed his first seven three-point attempts of the night—and launched a three-pointer over Nickeil Alexander-Walker after meticulously drawing the switch. The shot swished through, silencing the crowd and extending Dallas’s lead to eight.

“I don’t know how I make those shots sometimes and not the normal ones,” Dončić laughed. “But, at the end of the day, I just needed to find my rhythm. We got the win, and that’s all that matters.”

After the game, Dončić reflected on his comfort in clutch moments, saying, “I feel pretty comfortable. We have me, Klay, and Kai—those two guys, anyone can take the shot. Sometimes, they’ll double one of us, like tonight when they doubled Kai, so I had the opportunity to take it. Gotta say thank you to Kai for that.”

Kidd was impressed by Dončić’s resilience, commenting, “We’ve seen this movie before. Luka loves the opportunity to win the game. He’s not scared and stepped up to make a big shot.”

Turnover Battle: A Decisive 20-Point Swing in Dallas’s Favor

One critical factor in Dallas’s victory was their ability to control turnovers. The Mavericks committed only 10 turnovers while forcing Minnesota into 20, leading to a 25-5 advantage in points off turnovers. This 20-point swing underscored Dallas’s defensive discipline and commitment to capitalizing on mistakes.

Kidd emphasized that the team’s focus on ball security, especially in the second half, was a key component of their success. After struggling with turnovers in the first half, Kidd noted that the Mavericks had made just one in the second, a change he credited to deliberate adjustments and heightened attention to detail.

“We had too many turnovers in the first half but only one in the second,” Kidd explained. “We take pride in taking care of the ball. We had some turnovers that weren’t careless; the intent was right on the break. Our quarterbacks and other players did a great job taking care of the ball, and if we take care of it, we’re going to get a good look.”

Irving echoed Kidd’s emphasis on maintaining a defensive mindset as the foundation for Dallas’s ball control, noting that their ability to generate stops through communication and physical play naturally led to better offensive flow.

“It was all about our pressure on defense, staying physical, and communicating,” Irving added. “That combination of physicality and communication led to good results, especially when we were getting stops. We’re a better team when we let the offense flow naturally and focus on defense.”

Gafford and Lively’s Defensive Presence Inside

Dallas’s control of the paint played a decisive role in their victory, largely thanks to the efforts of Gafford and Lively. The combination provided an interior presence that contributed to Dallas’s 23-16 edge in second-chance points, further securing control of the paint and preventing the Timberwolves from gaining momentum inside.

Irving also highlighted the importance of Dallas’s big men in controlling the paint, noting that their presence strengthens the team’s rim protection.

“Our bigs have been great. We need to help them more, especially when they contest shots,” Irving said. “I’d say we have some of the best rim protection in the league with our bigs. We have to protect them by limiting offensive rebounds from the other team. If we had done that a bit more tonight, the score would’ve looked different. But we had to adjust and grind it out.”

Lively’s work on the boards extended possessions, with 4 offensive rebounds creating critical second-chance opportunities. Kidd praised Lively’s energy and impact on the glass, saying, “D Live has been a monster, giving us second or third opportunities.”

Lively’s rebounding success often stemmed from mismatches created through defensive switching, with Kidd noting how the young big man took advantage of smaller matchups on the boards.

“Go get it,” Kidd emphasized. “With the switching that happens, he’s often matched with a small, so he’s taking advantage by grabbing rebounds against smaller players. If he’s not putting it back, he’s finding our shooters or getting it back to our quarterbacks. His activity and live body are key, giving us second and third opportunities.”

Looking Ahead

The Mavericks will return home to face the Houston Rockets at the American Airlines Center on Thursday, Oct. 31. This game marks the start of a five-game homestand. A victory would improve Dallas to 4-1, matching their record through the first five games of their 2023-24 regular season campaign.

Support Dallas Hoops Journal

As an independent Dallas Mavericks reporter, it helps when you sign up for a premium membership to read my most in-depth content. The cost is regularly $10 per month or $100 annually, but take advantage of a 20% discount for an annual subscription to celebrate the new season.

Follow on Other Platforms

For more Mavs, NBA, and WNBA coverage, follow Grant Afseth on X, Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. Be sure to subscribe on YouTube for content throughout the 2024-25 season.