Luka Doncic starred in the Dallas Mavericks’ 108-105 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in the opening game of the NBA Western Conference Finals.
Slovenia’s Doncic top-scored with 33 points, including 15 in the final quarter, as the Mavericks took their first lead in the best-of-seven series.
Kyrie Irving also scored 30 points for Dallas, 24 of which came in the first half in Minneapolis.
“We had to work really hard to get this one,” Doncic said.
“I think we’re known for losing games, so we were trying to make that clear. But it’s only one and we have three more [wins] go.”
The two sides traded leads several times in a seesaw final quarter, with Anthony Edwards’ three-pointer giving the Timberwolves a 102-98 lead with just under four minutes remaining.
But eight unanswered points from the Mavericks, including a step-back shot from Doncic, put them back in the ascendancy before seeing out the victory.
Jaden McDaniels led the Timberwolves in scoring with 24 points, while Edwards added 19.
The second game takes place on Friday in Minneapolis.
