Mavs’ Luka Dončić Named 2024 Western Conference Finals MVP After Win vs. Timberwolves

Andrew PetersMay 31, 2024

David Berding/Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks have completed the gentlemen’s sweep of the Minnesota Timberwolves, taking the series 3-1 behind a dominant 124-103 win in Game 5 Thursday night.

Unsurprisingly, Luka Dončić was named the Western Conference Finals MVP and earned the Magic Johnson Trophy after his outstanding performance in the series.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReportLUKA WINS WESTERN CONFERENCE MVP 🔥🏆 pic.twitter.com/k8m0yS3qZ3

NBA on TNT @NBAonTNTLuka: “This trophy’s the whole team man, it’s not me.” 🙌 pic.twitter.com/tEGzsCEY0W

NBA Communications @NBAPRLuka Dončić received all nine votes from a media panel covering the Western Conference Finals.

The voting panel ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/ZHqal4tZJb

Dončić averaged 32.4 points, 9.6 rebounds and 8.4 assists to propel his team to their first finals since 2011. He was a model of consistency throughout the series and was clearly the best player on the court at all times.

Dončić set the tone early in the series, scoring 33 points in a narrow Game 1 win. He followed it up with another masterclass that saw him drop 32 points and a game-winning three-pointer over Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReportLUKA THREE FOR THE WIN 😱 pic.twitter.com/HsbPRW96be

In Thursday night’s matchup, Dončić had 36 points and 10 boards to close things out and advance to his first NBA Finals. He had 20 points alone in the first quarter and didn’t look back.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReportLUKA CANNOT BE STOPPED.

BACK-TO-BACK THREES AND 20 PTS WITH TIME STILL TO GO IN THE 1ST Q 🤯 pic.twitter.com/BSSVbDy8Ku

Dončić, who is still just 25, has already begun establishing his legacy, but advancing to his first Finals seemed like a necessary step to begin putting his name in conversations with some of the greats. If he can complete the task and win a championship, it will be just another milestone to check off.

But standing in his way are the Boston Celtics, who came into the playoffs with the best record in the NBA and cruised through the Eastern Conference. Led by stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the Celtics lost just two games en route to an Eastern Conference Finals title.

Many are deeming Dončić and his co-star Kyrie Irving the best backcourt in NBA history, and the two could prove that by taking down Boston in the Finals.