The Dallas Mavericks are back in the NBA Finals after closing out the Minnesota Timberwolves via a 124-103 Game 5 win on Thursday night.
As was the case throughout the Western Conference Finals series, it was the Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving show, as both had 36 points apiece for the Dallas Mavericks in the blowout victory.
In addition to the 36 points, Doncic also recorded 10 rebounds, five assists, and two steals, and Irving added four rebounds and five assists. The dynamic Dallas Mavericks backcourt duo also shot a combined 28-for-49 from the field and 10-of-20 from three-point range.
After a full week of rest, the Dallas Mavericks are set to meet the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals, starting on June 6, at the TD Garden.
Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving make history for the Dallas Mavericks
Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving not only led the Dallas Mavericks to their second-ever NBA Finals appearance but they also managed to pull off an amazing playoff milestone that hasn’t been done in over six decades.
According to OptaSTATS, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving became the second duo in NBA history to have at least 35 points each in a closeout game to clinch an NBA Finals berth.
Elgin Baylor and Jerry West last did it in the 1962 Western Division Finals, where they eliminated the Detroit Pistons in six games to meet, coincidentally, the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. In Game 6, Baylor and West had 38 points each in the 123-117 victory.
Unfortunately for Elgin Baylor and Jerry West, the Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Boston Celtics in seven games in the Finals, so Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving hope to avoid the same fate this time.
