The Dallas Mavericks have the enviable luxury of having two of the best closers in the NBA today in superstars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. The two have been a massive headache for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2024 NBA Western Conference finals. The Timberwolves just don't seem to have a working formula against the two talented Mavs playmakers who hurt Minnesota again in Game 3 of the series in Dallas Sunday night.
When it was not Irving making the buckets in the fourth, Doncic was doing the damage in the final period of Game 3 on the Timberwolves, who got lit up by the duo for a total of 21 points in the last 12 minutes of the contest. Doncic also had high praises for Irving following the Mavs' 116-107 win.
“That's why they call him, some people, Mr. 4th quarter, right?” the high-scoring Slovenian star told reporters about Irving during the postgame press conference.
“He's born for this situation. He [was] born for clutch situations. So we just give the ball to him.”
Overall in Game 3, Doncic and Irving scored 33 points apiece while also combining for nine assists. They were 22/40 from the field and went 8/17 from behind the arc. Minnesota's a great defensive team, but dealing with two incredibly elite ball handlers and scorers is proving to be too much even for the Timberwolves, who have a four-time Defensive Player of the Year winner in Rudy Gobert.
Even before he arrived in Dallas via a trade from the Brooklyn Nets in 2023, Irving already carried the reputation of a clutch performer. He also has a winning experience in the grandest stage of the playoffs, as he was part of the Cleveland Cavaliers squad that took down the mighty Golden State Warriors back in the 2016 NBA Finals which probably would not have happened if not for his memorable 3-point shot in Game 7 of that series. Now, Irving is providing the Mavericks with that same prowess in the clutch.
Among players on teams still in contention for the 2024 NBA title, Irving is No. 1 overall with an average of 7.6 points in the fourth quarter in the playoffs. For what it's worth, Doncic is second with 6.7 points per fourth quarter in the postseason.
Doncic, Irving, and the Mavericks can finish the series and clinch their ticket to the 2024 NBA Finals as soon as this coming Tuesday when they have a chance to complete a sweep of the Timberwolves.
Fans react to Mavericks' lethal combo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving after Game 3 win vs Timberwolves
Here are some of the reactions from X (formerly Twitter) to the incredible job Doncic and Irving has done so far in the West finals.
“The chemistry on this team is great to see.”
“Two ice cold assassins taking turns cutting teams hearts out. Luka done sent Rudy packing to new team from Utah, he bout to do it to him again in Minny? This man is breaking franchises.”
“Luka talking like he ain’t a Cold Mfker 🧊 in the Clutch”
“A lot of people have to apologize to Luka and Kyrie. They are a perfect match together.”
“THEY SAID THAT LUKA DONCIC & KYRIE IRVING WON’T WORK TOGETHER. THEY ARE 1 WIN AWAY FROM THE NBA FINALS”
“Starting backcourts with 3+ games of 30+ points in the same playoff game, last 50 years: — Luka & Kyrie That’s the list.”
Follow Us
Subscribe