Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving propel the Mavericks to a commanding 3-0 lead over the Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals

By M Muzamil Shami

Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving both notch 33 points each as Dallas finishes strong with a 14-3 run to seal the victory against Minnesota, edging closer to a spot in the NBA Finals.

In a thrilling play, Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks sprang into action, diving for the ball following a steal by Anthony Edwards. His effort propelled the ball far enough to spark a frenzied scramble, resulting in a jump ball that Doncic emerged victorious from.

Once again, the Mavericks demonstrated their prowess, making crucial plays on both offense and defense. With just one more win needed, they stand on the brink of their first NBA Finals appearance in 13 years.

Doncic and Kyrie Irving led the charge with 33 points each, propelling Dallas to a 116-107 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals. A decisive surge in the final five minutes sealed the deal, putting the Mavericks in a commanding 3-0 series lead.

The Mavs secured their fifth consecutive playoff victory with a 14-3 finish, despite Dereck Lively II exiting due to a sprained neck from an accidental hit to the head by Karl-Anthony Towns’ knee.

No NBA team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in playoff history. Game 4 will take place on Tuesday night in Dallas.

Doncic emphasized the team's focus on taking it one game at a time, stating, “We just need one more. Nothing's certain yet. They're a formidable team, so we can't afford to get complacent. Let's focus on getting that one more win, and then we'll tackle the rest.”

P.J. Washington initiated the critical phase by sinking a corner 3-pointer following a pass from Doncic to Irving, who then swiftly directed the ball to Washington.

The co-stars assumed control from that point onward.

       With 21 points, Kyrie Irving (14) and Luka Doncic (7) combine to outscore Minnesota by themselves in the 4th quarter of Game 3.

Doncic sunk a shot in the paint, pushing his team ahead by four points. Irving electrified the crowd with a spectacular falling-down jumper, igniting cheers. Doncic then orchestrated a play that led to Daniel Gafford's alley-oop dunk, extending their lead to 113-105 with only 34 seconds remaining. Gafford showcased his defensive prowess by blocking Mike Conley's layup attempt on the other end.

“They’ve been doubling me and Kai all game, but that just elevates our game,” Doncic remarked. “It gets everyone involved, everyone contributes. It's a fantastic win. We executed well down the stretch.”

Anthony Edwards impressed with 26 points for the Wolves, though he only managed four after scoring eight consecutive points to bring the Wolves level in the third quarter.

"Edwards expressed his unwavering optimism, stating, 'I never see the sky falling. I remain positive, always upbeat. I've weathered many storms, so for me, the sky never falls.'

Towns contributed 14 points, yet struggled to find his range, missing all eight attempts from beyond the arc, including a crucial one when the team trailed by four with 1:25 left.

Despite seizing a 104-102 lead following Kyle Anderson's floater with five minutes remaining, Minnesota, plagued by an inability to maintain leads, squandered opportunities, missing seven consecutive shots. This included failing to hold onto an 18-point lead in the first half and a five-point advantage in the final 90 seconds of Game 2."

"Wolves coach Chris Finch emphasized the need to match the scoring prowess of their opponents, stating, 'Throughout the series, we've faced difficulties in closing out games. We're consistently coming up short in these critical three-minute stretches.'

Doncic, whose clutch 3-pointer secured victory for Dallas in Game 2, displayed a solid performance, shooting 10-for-20 with 5-for-11 from beyond the arc.

Meanwhile, Irving, a former champion with Cleveland, showcased his scoring abilities by contributing 14 points in the fourth quarter. He concluded the game with a 12-for-20 overall shooting and a 3-for-6 from long range."

With 2011 NBA Finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki observing from center court, the Mavs find themselves on the brink of the NBA's grandest platform, a position they haven't been in since the towering German guided them to their sole championship.

Edwards, shooting 11-for-24, only attempted three shots in the fourth quarter, sinking two. Despite fatigue acknowledged earlier in the series, the 22-year-old luminary notched nine rebounds and nine assists.

"At this stage, positivity is our only option," affirmed Edwards. "We must focus on seizing one victory at a time and banish any negativity."

During the second quarter, Lively experienced a collision more typical of a football game near the Kansas City Chiefs' stars, Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, who were seated courtside.

Following the inadvertent contact, the rookie from Duke remained on the court, clutching his head as it jolted forward. He stayed down for several minutes before being assisted off the court, visibly disoriented, and escorted to the locker room.

The incident occurred as Mike Conley attempted a shot, and Towns, going for an offensive rebound, inadvertently collided with Lively's head.

Despite the setback, the 20-year-old Lively, alongside starter Gafford, played a significant role in Dallas securing a 2-0 lead. Lively has been flawless from the field in the series, making all twelve of his attempts, including three in Game 3.