MINNEAPOLIS — In a thrilling re-encounter of last year’s Western Conference finals, Kyrie Irving showcased his elite scoring ability, tallying 35 points with a remarkable display, including 16 during a pivotal third quarter. Luka Doncic contributed significantly as well, finishing with 24 points, along with nine assists and eight rebounds, leading the Dallas Mavericks to a 120-114 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night.

Anthony Edwards made his presence felt early, pouring in 24 of his 37 points in the first quarter, setting a new Target Center record for the team. His long-range shooting was impressive, as he connected on 7 of 13 attempts from beyond the arc, though he struggled at the free-throw line, hitting only 6 of 12 shots.

Doncic capped his performance with a crucial 33-foot shot, extending the Mavericks’ lead to eight points with just 1:04 remaining. Celebrating with the home fans, he exhibited his competitive spirit, even with a challenging shooting night, where he managed to hit only 5 of 22 from the field and 1 of 9 from three against Utah just a night prior.

In addition to Irving’s superb performance, P.J. Washington added a solid contribution with 17 points and eight rebounds, helping the Mavericks, who were on the second night of a back-to-back, to secure a vital win following their previous victory over Utah. Julius Randle also had a notable evening, compiling 20 points accompanied by seven rebounds and seven assists for the Timberwolves.

Several key takeaways emerged from the match. While Doncic battled through a minor slump, the Mavericks effectively leveraged Irving’s stellar performance and played notably aggressive defense, culminating in 12 steals. On the other hand, despite Edwards’ stunning first quarter, the Timberwolves struggled with ball control, committing 20 turnovers that Dallas capitalized on for 25 points.

A pivotal moment came when Irving, defended closely by Randle, sank a three-pointer with 2:31 remaining, pushing the score to 112-107 and stifling Minnesota’s momentum.

A noteworthy statistic from the game includes Edwards’ impressive streak: he’s made five or more three-pointers in every game this season, marking the longest streak in Timberwolves history.

Looking ahead, the Mavericks will host the Houston Rockets on Thursday night, while the Timberwolves prepare to face the Denver Nuggets at home on Friday.