Luka Dončić Stuns NBA Fans with Clutch Game-Winner as Mavs Beat Edwards, Wolves in G2

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIMay 25, 2024

Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

Luka Dončić hit a game-winning three-pointer with three seconds left to propel the Dallas Mavericks to a 109-108 comeback victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.

NBA @NBALUKA 3-POINTER IN THE CLUTCH TO TAKE THE LEAD WITH 3 SECONDS LEFT IN THE 4Q 🤯🎯

DAL-MIN (1-0) | 4Q Live on TNT pic.twitter.com/6hNV77J8aV

NBA @NBALuka Doncic.
Ice in his veins. 🥶 https://t.co/k31mAzTxxg pic.twitter.com/XfGBfXcFRR

Dončić finished with a 32-point, 13-assist, 10-rebound triple-double to lead Dallas, which trailed by as many as 18. He now has four triple-doubles over his last five playoff games.

StatMuse @statmusePlayers with 4 triple-doubles in a 5-game span in the playoffs:

Wilt Chamberlain
Magic Johnson
Nikola Jokic

And now, Luka Doncic. pic.twitter.com/uGWJvAZUoB

Minnesota led 108-103 before Mavs guard Kyrie Irving’s corner three slashed the deficit to two with 1:05 left. The teams then traded empty possessions before Minnesota superstar Anthony Edwards committed a turnover, giving Dallas the ball back with 13 seconds left.

Dončić got the ball and a key switch, leading to Timberwolves big man Rudy Gobert guarding him on the perimeter. The MVP finalist then nailed a stepback three for the one-point edge.

Tim Bontemps @TimBontempsLuka right there: “You can’t f—ing guard me.”

Minnesota still had a chance with three seconds left and the ball in Dallas’ half of the court, but Naz Reid’s three was no good.

Irving overcame a slow start to score 13 points in the fourth quarter (including four three-pointers) for 20 overall. Mavs big men Daniel Gafford (16 points, five blocks) and Dereck Lively II (14 points, nine rebounds) controlled the paint.

Reid was the Timberwolves’ best player on this night, scoring a team-high 23 points off the bench and hitting 7-of-9 three-pointers. Edwards added 21 points and seven assists but shot just 5-of-17.

But the story here was Dončić, who’s been inevitable all playoffs and especially in this series. He dropped 33 points, eight assists and six rebounds in Game 1 before his 32-point triple-double, and now the Mavericks now hold a 2-0 edge in the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals, which head back to Dallas for Games 3 and 4.

Until then, NBA players, analysts and fans alike were in awe of Dončić’s performance, including his cold-blooded game-winner:

Dirk Nowitzki @swish41Wow

Trae Young @TheTraeYoungKyrie may be the PERFECT compliment to Luka ! They toughhh

playoff paint @nba_paintBazooka Doncic. pic.twitter.com/GSyUqxWAk6

Jason Gallagher @jga41agherLuka Doncic is so clearly better than all of his peers I can’t believe this is even a debate.

Jarred Vanderbilt @JVandoLuka is insane

Josh Okogie @CallMe_NonStopToughhh

RJ @RjHampton1477 went to the ballroom to dance !

Theo pinson @tpinsonnWow lol

Marc J. Spears @MarcJSpears🥶🥶🥶

Hardwood Paroxysm @HPbasketballLuka Doncic is a winning player. I accept being an idiot.

Also, regardless of Finals, he takes Best In The World Title with this series for the summer.

Dallas Nation @TheDallasNationLUKA DONCIC ADDS ANOTHER PLAYOFF MEME TO HIS RESUME pic.twitter.com/QFbfMT4MEg

Robert Griffin III @RGIIILuka Doncic is a cold blooded killa on that basketball court. That shot was DISRESPECTFULLY BEAUTIFUL @luka7doncic

Robert Flom @RichHomieFlomThere is no more baffling set of draft decisions in NBA history than 3 different teams passing on Luka Doncic. It was incredibly stupid at the time and has somehow aged even worse.

Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBAThe Mavericks look like they’re gonna win the NBA Finals. Elite defense and elite role players, led by two elite closers in Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. And by the way, Jason Kidd is coaching his ass off these playoffs.

Game 3 will take place on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET.