Dallas Mavericks rookie sensation Luka Doncic has been unstoppable for the most part of the 2018-19 NBA season. That is until he ran into Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns on Wednesday.
With 5:48 left in the second quarter and the Timberwolves up by a point, 43-42, Doncic dribbled on the left side of the court. He then turned on the afterburners, spinning to his left to get past Minnesota guard Josh Okogie.
Clear sailing, right?
Not if Towns has something to say about it. He came charging down the lane to swat Doncic's layup attempt from behind. He blocked the ball with so much force, it was like a volleyball player spiking it with authority.
KAT out of nowhere! 🚫#AllEyesNorth pic.twitter.com/EPhLRQVckl
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 4, 2019
Towns is in his fourth pro season. He was the 2016 NBA Rookie of the Year and a two-time NBA All-Star. As great as Doncic has been playing, he's still a rookie. One thing he has to learn is eluding elite players such as Towns. Wednesday's experience should serve as a great learning experience.
Nonetheless, both teams have bright futures ahead of them. If the Timberwolves can add a few key pieces next season, they should climb up the rankings. With Doncic pairing up with Kristaps Porzingis in the 2019-20 NBA season, they have nowhere to go but up.
At this point of the season, both teams have nothing to play for except pride – they dropped out of playoff contention weeks ago. The Timberwolves have a 35-43 (.449) win-loss record through April 3. On the other hand, the Mavericks are faring worse at 31-47 (.397).
Behind Towns' 28 points, 13 rebounds, and three blocks, the Timberwolves eked out a narrow 110-108 victory over the Mavericks.
Doncic, who figures to slug it out with Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young and Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton for 2019 NBA Rookie of the Year Honors, finished with 27 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists for Dallas.
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