Luka Doncic and Michael Finley (Image Source: X/ClutchPoints)
The Dallas Mavericks finished the job by defeating their Western Conference rivals, the Minnesota Timberwolves, in the fifth game of the Conference Finals series to advance to the 2024 NBA Finals, where the Boston Celtics are waiting for them.
Following the action-filled game on Thursday, Luka Doncic was awarded the Magic Johnson MVP trophy for his brilliant performance throughout the series. To celebrate his much-deserving win, the Slovenian guard was enjoying a beer beside his father when the franchise’s Vice President of Basketball Operations, Michael Finley, appeared in the picture and took the can off his hand, leaving Doncic puzzled. This could be because they still have to go a long road to reach their ultimate goal.
Luka Doncic was chilling with his dad while drinking a beer, and Michael Finley just took it away 😭
(via @GrantAfseth)pic.twitter.com/5yjKYsstq3
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 31, 2024
Doncic and Kyrie Irving scored 36 points for the Mavs along with grabbing 10 and 4 rebounds respectively, while distributing 5 assists each. They stepped up in the crucial game and ended the Wolves’ season with the final nail in the coffin, their 124-103 victory on Thursday night at the Target Center.
After the Dallas franchise acquired Irving last year, they couldn’t climb up in the post-season tournament, but this year they displayed remarkable determination and reached the top.
Luka Doncic Trolls Kyrie Irving After WCF Win
Following the game win, Luka Doncic was in a good mood, which led him to throw an amusing remark at his closest teammate during the post-game press conference.
When Doncic was asked whether he thought the 2022 team which had a good run in the playoffs was more experienced or the current team they are playing with, the 25-year-old humorously answered, “I think we have a young team, outside of Kyrie. Kyrie’s getting old.”
“I think we have a young team, outside of Kyrie. Kyrie’s getting old.”
Luka Doncic on this year’s Mavs team 🤣
pic.twitter.com/CtgYxULS6L— NBA (@NBA) May 31, 2024
Now that the Mavericks have qualified for the Finals, they will face the Eastern Conference champions, the Boston Celtics, in another seven-game series. However, beating the Celtics would not be easy as they are eyeing the franchise’s 18th championship trophy. The two teams will meet on Thursday for Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
WATCH: Luka Doncic Had Everyone Hyped Up After Putting Up 20 Points in the 1st Quarter of Game 5
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 124-103 in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals. Star player Luka Doncic scored 20 points in the first quarter. Dallas’ bench was amazed by his early domination, and many have proclaimed him an all-time great.
During Tuesday’s Game 4 matchup, Doncic had the poorest performance of the West finals, scoring a series-low 28 points on only 7-for-21 (33.3%) shooting. Meanwhile, Dallas dropped its first game of the series, 105-100, with a chance to finish Minnesota 4-0 at home.
With 2:23 left in the quarter, the five-time All-Star scored 20 points, shocking fans on X (Formerly Twitter). But in Game 5, with the score tied at one and another opportunity to finish the Timberwolves on the road, Luka Doncic came out firing.
According to NBA.com, in the first quarter, he finished with 20 points, two rebounds, one assist, one steal, and four 3-pointers on 8 of 11 (72.7%) shots. Dallas prevailed 35-19 in the meantime, as Doncic defeated Minnesota 20-19.
Luka Doncic Made a Remarkable Comeback After Game 4 Falloff
Even though Luka Doncic had one of his rare lousy shooting nights in Game 4, he didn’t look dejected after the game. Instead, he admitted his lack of enthusiasm and stressed Dallas’s need to focus on Game 5.