Preview: Mavericks Face Timberwolves in First Back-to-Back, Seek Early Momentum

Mavericks face Timberwolves in first back-to-back of the season, aiming to build momentum with key contributions from Irving, Dončić, and bench depth.

Photo via Dallas Mavericks

MINNEAPOLIS — The Dallas Mavericks head to Target Center to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night, looking to build on their early-season momentum after a 110-102 win over the Utah Jazz. This matchup marks the first meeting between Dallas and Minnesota since the Mavericks defeated the Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals, setting the stage for an early-season showdown with Western Conference implications.

Mavericks (2-1): Building on Early Success: Dallas enters Tuesday’s game with a 2-1 record, fresh off a hard-fought home victory over Utah. Kyrie Irving led the team with 23 points, nine assists, and six rebounds, while Klay Thompson added 18 points on 7-of-15 shooting. Though Luka Dončić struggled offensively—scoring just 15 points on 5-of-22 shooting—he remained impactful, adding nine rebounds and eight assists. Head coach Jason Kidd acknowledged Dončić’s importance, even on an off night: “He’s human, and we saw that tonight,” Kidd said. “But he really leaned on his teammates to create plays and wide-open looks.”

Irving emphasized the importance of stepping up when a key player like Dončić faces shooting challenges. “I pressed the gas a little bit,” Irving said, adding, “we all have to pick each other up.” Against a Timberwolves team that boasts a mix of versatile scoring and size, the Mavericks will need a well-rounded performance to continue their early success.

The Mavericks have focused on reducing fouls and improving defensive discipline, which has helped them control the game’s pace. As they prepare to face a well-rounded Minnesota team, Dallas will rely on Dončić’s ability to find his scoring rhythm and maintain offensive flow. Tuesday’s game also marks Dallas’ first back-to-back of the season; last year, they posted a 5-2 record on the second night of road back-to-backs, setting a hopeful tone for this initial test.

Timberwolves (2-1): Gaining Momentum with Randle: The Timberwolves have also started the season 2-1, buoyed by the addition of Plano native Julius Randle. Randle has quickly found his rhythm with his new team, averaging 24.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and hitting 53.8% from three-point range. Randle’s pairing with star guard Anthony Edwards—who is averaging 27.7 points and shooting 37.5% from beyond the arc—has already given Minnesota a formidable offensive duo.

Minnesota head coach Chris Finch sees this game as a valuable early test, especially after last season’s playoff loss to Dallas. “They deserved to win that series. They outplayed us,” Finch acknowledged. “This is a new team, new season, so we’ll see.” With Randle’s addition and the Timberwolves seeking redemption, Finch and his team look to re-establish themselves in the Western Conference.