DALLAS — Anthony Edwards led the Minnesota Timberwolves with 26 points, securing a 105-99 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Christmas Day. The game took a significant turn when Mavericks star Luka Don?i? had to exit due to a strained left calf late in the second quarter.
Initially, this matchup appeared to be an exciting rematch of last year’s Western Conference finals, which Dallas won. However, the atmosphere shifted when Doncic left the game, struggling to continue after trying to make a play. Following the injury, the Mavericks made an impressive push, nearly overcoming a 28-point deficit in the latter half of the game.
Don?i?, who scored 14 points before leaving, did not return to the game after limping off the court during a timeout, making this his second appearance after recovering from a left heel contusion. Despite his absence, Kyrie Irving stepped up, scoring 39 points but failed to convert a crucial 3-pointer that would have given the Mavericks the lead in the closing moments, after they had fought back from a late third-quarter deficit.
Rudy Gobert contributed significantly for the Timberwolves, finishing with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Additionally, Julius Randle made an impactful debut against his hometown team, putting up 23 points along with 10 rebounds and 8 assists.
An important note from the game is that the Mavericks managed to rally in the fourth quarter after struggling with Doncic’s injury, nearly overcoming the substantial 28-point gap to come within two points late in the contest.
A pivotal moment occurred when Doncic’s injury shifted the momentum of the game. As a five-time All-Star, his presence was a major factor in why the Mavericks have played on Christmas for five consecutive years.
Statistically, the Timberwolves had been struggling defensively, allowing an average of 121 points on 50% shooting in their previous games leading up to this third-ever Christmas game. However, they showcased improved defense, which contributed to their significant lead during the match in Dallas. Meanwhile, Klay Thompson of the Mavericks made headlines by surpassing Reggie Miller on the NBA’s all-time 3-point shooting list, concluding the game with 12 points and improving his career total to 2,562, edging out Miller’s 2,560.
Looking ahead, the Timberwolves are set to face the Houston Rockets on Friday, while the Mavericks will take on the Phoenix Suns on the same day.
