Full coverage: Mavericks outlast Timberwolves in Minneapolis, take Game 1 of West finals (2024)

It was an ideal start to the Western Conference finals for the Dallas Mavericks.

Led by their star duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, Dallas took Game 1 of the WCF over Minnesota with a 108-105 win Wednesday night. Doncic and Irving combined for 63 points in the victory.

Follow along for game stories, photos and more from our reporters and photographers on scene at Target Center.

Game stories

— 5 thoughts: Mavericks stun Timberwolves to finally win their first Game 1 of the playoffs

— Mavericks did everything right in Game 1 vs. Timberwolves — well, almost everything

— Mavs’ Kyrie Irving, Luka Doncic excel in Game 1 role reversal to fluster hesitant Wolves

— Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving responds to Game 1 challenge from Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards

— Dallas Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving wears Anta KAI 1 ‘Chief Hélà' shoe for WCF Game 1

Game photos

Dallas watch party photos

Game updates

- FINAL: Mavericks 108, Timberwolves 105 (Dallas leads series 1-0)

The Mavericks hit their stride when needed, taking over the game’s momentum late in the fourth quarter. Dallas has won Game 1 of a series for the first time this playoff run, giving itself something positive to build on in the West finals. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving combined for 63 points.

- 1:03 left in the fourth: Dallas has a 104-102 lead as the final seconds in regulation tick away. Luka Doncic leads all scorers with 31 points, followed closely by Kyrie Irving with 28.

- 4:39 left in the fourth: Buckle in, Mavs fans. Just when Dallas was pulling away, the Timberwolves found a quick response. The Mavs had created a cushion with a 13-0 scoring run, then Minnesota’s bigs bounced back. Karl-Anthony Towns hit a deep 3-pointer to put the Timberwolves up by one. Minnesota leads 99-98.

- 9:07 left in the fourth: Luka Doncic is heating up in clutch time. The Mavericks star and first-team All-NBA selection has scored seven in a row, nailing a 3-pointer over Nickeil Alexander-Walker to put Dallas ahead. Doncic is up to 25 points and the Mavs lead 91-89.

- End of third: We’re in for an interesting fourth quarter. Both teams traded the lead as the third wound down, with Naz Reid putting Minnesota back on top with a made free throw. Kyrie Irving had a quiet third quarter, scoring two points after putting up 24 in the opening half. Minnesota leads 83-82.

- 2:10 left in the third: Although the Mavericks have struggled from beyond the arc, a Josh Green 3-pointer has given them another lead. Dallas has gone 3-for-19 from the 3-point line and leads 80-79.

- 7:16 left in the third: Dallas is kicking things into another gear to start the second half. Daniel Gafford scored Dallas’ first six points of the half, then the Mavs took their first lead since the game’s opening quarter when Derrick Jones Jr. finished off a fast break. The Mavs and Wolves are tied at 68-68.

- End of first half: Kyrie Irving converted an and-one opportunity to cut Minnesota’s lead to 62-59 going into the break. Irving led all scorers in the first half with 24 points on an efficient 11-for-14 shooting. For Minnesota, Jaden McDaniels has a team-high 19 points and has hit five of his six 3-point attempts.

- 5:30 left in the second: Luka Doncic has come to life. Doncic scored five points in a 9-1 run to cut Minnesota’s lead to 43-41. Doncic has 14 points so far.

- 8:57 left in the second: After the Mavericks won a jump ball, Jaden McDaniels stole it for a fast-break layup to give the Timberwolves a 39-32 lead. McDaniels leads all scorers with 14.

- End of first quarter: Minnesota finished the quarter on a 10-2 run to take a 33-27 lead. Kyrie Irving led all scorers with 13 points. Jaden McDaniels led the way for Minnesota with nine points.

- 2:24 left in the first: Kyrie Irving is starting to heat up, giving the Mavs their first lead of the game. He leads Dallas with 12 points, finishing off a contested layup after a missed 3-pointer from Karl-Anthony Towns. Dallas is up 22-21.

- 6:54 left in the first quarter: The Timberwolves are up by four in the game’s early minutes. Jaden McDaniels leads all scorers with six points. Minnesota is playing physical defense to start things off, but Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are leading Dallas with eight combined points.

- Game 1 is underway in Minneapolis.

Pregame updates

Pregame reading

— Dallas, Minneapolis mayors wager sweet treats for Mavericks-Timberwolves West finals bout

— Minnesota governor has subliminal message for Mavericks: ‘Bring it on Dallas’

— Why these Dallas Mavericks can go where 2022 Western Conference finals squad couldn’t

— How Mavericks’ Dereck Lively II has summoned strength, poise after mother’s passing

— Mavericks-Wolves predictions: Will Dallas make its first NBA Finals appearance since 2011?

Find more Mavericks coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.