Tim Heitman/Getty Images
In a Western Conference Finals full of stars, Luka Dončić shined the brightest.
The Dallas Mavericks’ leader shifted into takeover mode in the fourth quarter and led his team to a 108-105 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Wednesday’s Game 1 at Target Center. His heavily contested jumper in the final minute was the game’s biggest shot before Kyrie Irving clinched the win on the free-throw line and with a late rebound.
Dončić finished with 33 points, eight assists, six rebounds, three steals and one block, but he was at his best in crunch time with 15 points in the fourth quarter.
It wasn’t a one-man show, as Irving spearheaded the Mavericks’ early offensive efforts and finished with 30 points, five rebounds and four assists. The pair scored more than half of Dallas’ points and drew plenty of love from social media:
Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
LUKA AND MAVS STEAL GAME 1 IN MINNESOTA 🔥 pic.twitter.com/yf7bdNmdN6
myles brown @mdotbrown
(Close games in this series scare me cause one team has two bonafide closers and it ain’t the Wolves)
Frank Isola @TheFrankIsola
Anthony Edwards: “My matchup’s gonna be Kyrie, so that’s gonna be fun.”
Having fun yet?
Jared Wade @Jared_Wade
All those fools who questioned trading for Kyrie suuuure are quiet now, huh? Typical.
(it’s me, I’m fools)
Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBA
Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving were extraordinary. A total takeover. By far the best players in Game 1.
playoff paint @nba_paint
Luka Magic. pic.twitter.com/TZbpT8zKKM
Chris Vernon @ChrisVernonShow
thats a monster win for Dallas. they never win the first game. LUKA threw em on his back in the 4th.
Donovan Mitchell @spidadmi