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Starting 5, May 31: Mavs advance, meet Celtics in NBA Finals – NBA.com
Luka Doncic's 20-point 1st quarter propels Mavs to clinch the West in five games and reach their first NBA Finals since 2011.
Let’s hear it if you’re headed to your first NBA Finals.
THE LINEUP 🏀
What’s inside today’s edition?
Dallas Wins West: The Mavs win the West Finals in five games to reach their 3rd NBA Finals
Unstoppable Duo: Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving each posted 36 pts and 5 ast in the clincher
1st Quarter KO: Luka’s 20 points and a 17-1 run put Dallas up for good in the first 12 minutes
First Look: With the Celtics-Mavs matchup set, check out some key storylines
Finals Facts: Dive into the Finals record book before the Mavs and Cs try to add their names to it
BUT FIRST … ⏰
Last night’s score & NBA Finals preview.
Game 1 of the NBA Finals tips off on Thursday, June 6 (8:30 ET, ABC) from TD Garden in Boston. Check out the full schedule in Section 5.
1. MAVS ROLL TO FIRST FINALS SINCE 2011
After their Game 4 loss at home, Mavs stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving both put the blame on themselves for failing to clinch the Western Conference Finals.
In Game 5 on the road, the two stars left no doubt that the Mavs were winning the West and headed to the Finals to meet the Celtics.
Doncic and Irving combined for 72 points to lead Dallas to a 124-103 win over Minnesota, clinching the Mavs third Finals appearance in franchise history and the first since their 2011 championship. | Recap
Luka Wins West Finals MVP: Luka began his night outscoring the Wolves in the 1st quarter by himself, 20-19. He ended his night collecting his first Magic Johnson Trophy as Western Conference Finals MVP.
Kyrie Bounces Back: After scoring just 16 points and seeing his undefeated record in closeout games come to an end in Game 4, Irving responded with the highest-scoring series-clinching performance of his career with 36 points.
Lively Back: After missing Game 4 due to a neck strain, Dereck Lively II picked up where he left off, scoring with historic efficiency while adding rebounding, playmaking and defense.
Wolves’ Run Ends: Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns scored 28 apiece, but it was not enough to extend their season and force a Game 6. The Wolves returned to the West Finals for the first time in 20 years.
2. UNSTOPPABLE DUO
Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving pour in 36 points apiece to guide Dallas to its 1st appearance in the NBA Finals since 2011.
One trend held true over the course of the Western Conference Finals – the star duo that combined for the most points won every game.
In the Game 5 series finale, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving each scored 36 to combine for 72 points, while Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns each scored 28 to combine for 56.
How special was this Game 5 performance from the Mavs duo?
The numbers themselves are incredible, but the fact that they came against the league’s top-ranked defense takes it to another level.
3. 1ST-QUARTER KNOCKOUT
Luka Doncic outscores the Timberwolves' entire roster in the 1st quarter, and the Mavericks advance to the NBA Finals.
Through the first four games, the 1st quarter had been the worst quarter of the West Finals for the Mavs. They trailed after the first 12 minutes three times and were minus-14 for the series.
The Mavs didn’t have to recover from a slow start in Game 5.
Fueled by Luka’s 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting with four 3s, the Mavs won the opening quarter 35-19. Watch Luka’s 20-point outburst uncut
Luka hit four of Dallas’ first five buckets as the Mavs jumped out to a 14-6 lead in the game’s first three minutes. The Wolves responded with a 12-4 run to tie the game on a Rudy Gobert three-point play with 5:43 left.
It was the final tie of the game.
The Mavs closed the opening quarter on a 17-1 run that the Wolves were never able to recover from. Dallas led by 16 after the end of the 1st quarter and never had their lead cut below 15 points the rest of the game.
Luka 🤝 Legends: Doncic joined LeBron James (2018 East Finals and 2023 West Finals) as the only players to score 20+ points in the first quarter of a Conference Finals game in the play-by-play era (since 1997-98).
No Drop Off: Luka added five more points in the 2nd quarter (25 total), while Kyrie got cooking with 15 in the 2nd (19 total) as the duo outscored the Wolves by themselves 44-40 in the 1st half and the Mavs led 69-40.
4. FIRST LOOK AT THE 2024 NBA FINALS
And just like that, the NBA Finals is set.
The Mavs are four wins shy of just their second championship in franchise history.
The Celtics are seeking an unprecedented 18th title, which would break a tie with the Lakers for the most all-time.
The Stakes: Boston boasts more banners, but neither team has raised the Larry O’Brien Trophy in over 10 years – so let’s refresh on what a ring would mean for each franchise.
Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Luka Doncic & Kyrie Irving will be on display in the 2024 NBA Finals. Who will prevail?
Resembling Recipes: This year marked the Celtics’ sixth ECF appearance in eight years and the Mavs’ second WCF appearance in three years – and they’ve been knocking on the door using similar styles.
Past 🤝 Present: Both teams hope to follow in the footsteps of past champions who have donned their uniforms and appreciate the opportunity heading into Thursday’s Game 1.
5. FINALS FACTS & SCHEDULE
For the sixth straight season, we will have a new NBA champion – see how far the past six Finals winners made it the following season …
Celtics and Mavericks Finals Appearances and Championships
Finals vs. Playoffs: Best-Of-Seven Series Scenarios (Entering 2024 Postseason)
Finals Single Game Records
Luka Doncic's moment finally arrives, Minnesota is forced to wait for its and Kyrie 'The Closer' shines in closeout win.
See the storylines and 1 thing each team needs to keep an eye on heading into the 2024 NBA Finals Presented by YouTube TV.
As the Celtics and Mavs prepare to meet in the 2024 NBA Finals, look back at their matchups from the regular season.
Get ready for the 2024 NBA Draft on June 26-27 with previews for every team.
Luka Doncic's moment finally arrives, Minnesota is forced to wait for its and Kyrie 'The Closer' shines in closeout win.
See the storylines and 1 thing each team needs to keep an eye on heading into the 2024 NBA Finals Presented by YouTube TV.
As the Celtics and Mavs prepare to meet in the 2024 NBA Finals, look back at their matchups from the regular season.
Get ready for the 2024 NBA Draft on June 26-27 with previews for every team.
Reportedly on the move to Dallas in a 3-team deal, guard Klay Thompson posts a heartfelt message to the Bay Area.
The team begins a four-day training camp before its exhibition opener against Canada on Wednesday.
The young German forward has been key to Orlando's resurgence.
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Golden State reportedly picks up a new sharpshooter to pair with Stephen Curry in veteran marksman Buddy Hield.
Victor Wembanyama scored 24 points to help France defeat Turkey in an Olympic exhibition.
