Anthony Edwards scored 26 points to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to a hard-fought 105-99 Christmas Day victory over the Dallas Mavericks in a game marred by Luka Doncic’s exit with a strained left calf.Â
The highly anticipated rematch of last season’s Western Conference Finals took an unexpected turn late in the second quarter when Doncic, who had 14 points, limped off the court and did not return. It was just his second game back from a left heel contusion, leaving the Mavericks scrambling without their superstar.
The Timberwolves built a commanding 28-point lead late in the third quarter, fueled by Edwards’ stellar play and contributions from Rudy Gobert, who finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Julius Randle, playing in Dallas for the first time since being traded from the Knicks, made his mark with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists, helping Minnesota snap a three-game losing streak.
However, the Mavericks came roaring back in the fourth quarter, shaking off the shock of Doncic’s injury. Kyrie Irving took charge, pouring in 39 points and nearly leading Dallas to an improbable comeback. Irving’s missed 3-pointer in the final minute, which would have given the Mavs their first lead since the opening moments, sealed their fate.
Klay Thompson provided a bright spot for Dallas, hitting 4-of-10 from beyond the arc to pass Reggie Miller for fifth on the NBA’s all-time 3-pointers made list with 2,562. Despite Thompson’s milestone and the late surge, Dallas couldn’t overcome Minnesota’s defensive intensity, which limited the Mavericks to 50% shooting and disrupted their rhythm early. The Mavericks will hope Doncic doesn’t miss any significant time but regardless, we will provide a grade for every one of the players in today’s matchup.
Kyrie Irving: A
Stats: 39 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 2 TO, 1 PF, 14-27 FG, 5-14 3PT, 6-6 FT, -4, 37 MIN
Kyrie Irving was sensational, scoring a game-high 39 points while shouldering the offensive load after Doncic’s exit. Despite missing a potential go-ahead 3-pointer in the final minute, Irving’s relentless scoring and six perfect free throws kept the Mavericks in the game, proving his ability to perform under pressure.
Dereck Lively II: B-
Stats: 6 PTS, 10 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL, 2 BLK, 2 TO, 3 PF, 3-7 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, +6, 30 MIN
Lively anchored the interior with 10 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks, making his presence felt defensively. However, his offensive contributions were limited, and his shooting efficiency (3-7) left room for improvement.
Quentin Grimes: B-
Stats: 10 PTS, 7 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 1 PF, 4-8 FG, 2-5 3PT, 0-0 FT, -10, 24 MIN
Quentin Grimes was solid on both ends, contributing 10 points and seven rebounds while connecting on two of five from beyond the arc. His defensive energy was evident, though his impact waned during key stretches of the game.
Luka Doncic: C+
Stats: 14 PTS, 5 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 3 TO, 1 PF, 5-9 FG, 3-5 3PT, 1-1 FT, -6, 16 MIN
Luka Doncic started strong with 14 points and three triples in 16 minutes but was forced to leave with a strained left calf. His absence was felt dearly, as the Mavericks struggled to maintain offensive consistency without their leader.
Klay Thompson: C+
Stats: 12 PTS, 4 REB, 1 AST, 2 STL, 2 BLK, 2 TO, 0 PF, 4-12 FG, 4-10 3PT, 0-0 FT, +2, 29 MIN
Klay Thompson’s shooting was streaky (4-12 FG), but he achieved a significant milestone, passing Reggie Miller for fifth in all-time 3-pointers made. His defensive contributions (two steals, two blocks) added value, even as his offensive impact fell short of expectations.
P.J. Washington: C+
Stats: 7 PTS, 7 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 1 PF, 3-8 FG, 1-4 3PT, 0-0 FT, -3, 40 MIN
P.J. Washington played a high-energy 40 minutes, contributing seven points and seven rebounds. While his defense was commendable, his shooting struggles (3-8 FG) and limited offensive involvement were noticeable in a game where Dallas needed more scoring options.
Maxi Kleber: C
Stats:Â 5 PTS, 2 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 3 PF, 2-3 FG, 1-1 3PT, 0-0 FT, +10, 23 MIN
Kleber provided a small offensive spark with five points on efficient shooting (2-3 FG), including a timely 3-pointer. However, his minimal rebounding and overall impact left him as more of a complementary piece than a game-changer.
Naji Marshall: C
Stats:Â 4 PTS, 2 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 1 PF, 1-3 FG, 0-0 3PT, 2-2 FT, -7, 14 MIN
Marshall was largely quiet offensively, scoring just four points in 14 minutes. While his defensive effort was steady, he didn’t contribute enough across the board to make a significant impact.
Spencer Dinwiddie: D
Stats: 2 PTS, 1 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 0-7 FG, 0-4 3PT, 2-2 FT, -9, 14 MIN
Spencer Dinwiddie struggled mightily, missing all seven of his field-goal attempts and failing to provide the scoring punch Dallas needed. He contributed two assists and two free throws but was a liability offensively in his limited minutes.
Daniel Gafford: D
Stats:Â 0 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 2 PF, 0-2 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, -9, 13 MIN
Daniel Gafford had a forgettable outing, going scoreless in 13 minutes and grabbing no rebounds. While he managed a block, his overall performance lacked the energy and physicality required to make an impact in this high-stakes matchup.
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