Friday’s Game 2 matchup between the Dallas Mavericks and the Minnesota Timberwolves was there for the taking for both teams in the final moments. But ultimately, it was Luka Dončić who came through in the biggest moment with what could be the biggest shot of his young NBA career thus far.
After the Mavericks took Game 1 of the series, the Timberwolves came out hot in Game 2, leading by as many as 18 points in the first half. Ultimately, they went into the half with a 12-point lead.
The Mavericks were able to slowly chip at the lead in the second half, ultimately giving themselves a chance in the final moments to steal a victory on the road yet again.
A turnover from Anthony Edwards with 12.1 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter gave the Mavericks a final shot to either tie the game and force overtime or win the game trailing by two points.
The Mavericks got the matchup they wanted on the final possession, with Rudy Gobert switched onto Dončić on the perimeter. And Dončić took full advantage, hitting a stepback three-point shot over Gobert to take a one-point lead with just three seconds remaining.
"GOT IT! GOT IT! WHAT A SHOT! DALLAS HAS TAKEN THE LEAD!" – Kevin Harlan https://t.co/fFJP7O0u7w
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 25, 2024
The Timberwolves got one final look at a game-winner on the following possession. And they got it to the right guy, as Naz Reid was in the midst of a tremendous Game 2. But the buzzer-beater attempt would bounce off back iron, resulting in a Mavericks victory and a 2-0 series lead.
THE MAVS HANG ON TO TAKE A 2-0 WCF SERIES LEAD BEFORE HEADING TO DALLAS! 🏀🔥 pic.twitter.com/8OWrqqGsWY
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) May 25, 2024
Naturally, all of the talk after the game was about Luka Dončić and his unbelievable game-winning shot. Fans quickly took to social media to give him his flowers on the big-time shot.
LUKA
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) May 25, 2024
That shot.
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) May 25, 2024
LUKA GETS THE LAST LAUGH 😂 pic.twitter.com/EOO7yjzlTm
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) May 25, 2024
Luka. Doncic. pic.twitter.com/D5fmB5x9M3
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) May 25, 2024
LUKA DONCIC OWNS THE NBA. pic.twitter.com/nJIevEyZet
— Abby Jones (@_abigaiiiil) May 25, 2024
To steal two games on Minnesota’s home court is obviously massive for the Mavericks as they look to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2011.
Now, the pressure will really be on the Timberwolves to do what the Denver Nuggets did to them in the previous round, come back from a 2-0 deficit and even up the series on the road.
It sure seems like a possibility. The Mavericks have won these first two games by only a combined four points, so the series has been far from lop-sided.
Regardless, Luka Dončić undeniably turned this series in the Mavericks’ favor thanks to this spectacular shot.