The Minnesota Timberwolves find themselves in a precarious position, trailing 3-0 in the Western Conference finals after a 116-107 defeat to the Dallas Mavericks in Game 3. Despite the tight scores, with the Timberwolves being outscored by only 13 points across the series, the gap between the teams feels substantial, especially in terms of superstar performance.
The numbers tell the tale of two vastly different superstar duos. Through the first three games, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving have combined to outscore Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns by a whopping 70 points (181–111). This disparity underscores the critical difference in star power. While the rest of the Timberwolves have outperformed their Mavericks counterparts by 57 points, it hasn’t been enough to bridge the gap left by Towns’ struggles and the dominance of Doncic and Irving.
Towns’ performance has been particularly disappointing. In Game 3, he missed all eight of his three-point attempts, with his final miss coming at a crucial moment in the fourth quarter. His shooting percentage for the series stands at a dismal 27.8%, including a woeful 3-of-22 from beyond the arc. Despite the Timberwolves’ resilience, Towns’ poor performance has severely limited their offensive capabilities.
On the other hand, Doncic and Irving have been sensational. Both scored 33 points in Game 3, and together, they are averaging nearly 60 points per game in the series. They have become the first starting backcourt in 50 years to each score at least 30 points in the same game three times during a single postseason, according to ESPN Stats. Their scoring prowess and experience set them apart from Edwards, who, despite his athleticism and potential, lacks the consistency and versatility of Doncic and Irving.
Luka Dončić is truly special.
The Wolves tried everything, and I mean EVERYTHING:
1. Drop
2. Up to the level of the screen
3. Switching
4. Hedge and recover
5. BlitzingAnd it didn’t matter. Luka had an answer for every one of them. pic.twitter.com/qbn6vcu4Su
— Joe Viray (@JoeVirayNBA) May 27, 2024
Edwards, while an impressive talent, has yet to develop a reliable jump shot. Although he has a higher three-point shooting percentage than Doncic in these playoffs (39% to 32%), his jumper is not a dependable go-to option. In Game 3, Edwards took 24 shots but only two from beyond the arc, missing both. He managed to make just three jump shots all night. Playoff defenses, focused on stopping him, have made it difficult for Edwards to reach the rim consistently.
In contrast, Doncic and Irving thrive under pressure, sinking 17 jump shots in Game 3 alone. They excel at making difficult, “nothing you can do about that” shots, maintaining control regardless of defensive schemes. Their ability to hit step-back threes and midrange fadeaways ensures they play on their terms, a level of confidence and skill that Edwards has yet to achieve.
The Timberwolves attempted various defensive strategies against Doncic in Game 3, but none proved effective. Edwards, though already a superstar, is still learning to balance patience and aggression, often erring on the side of caution. Doncic and Irving, by comparison, exhibit a mastery of their craft, unperturbed by any defense thrown their way.
While Edwards shows promise of becoming one of the league’s best players, that day has not yet arrived. Today, Doncic stands as the superior player, a more prolific scorer with a wealth of experience against top defenses. Edwards, still developing, lacks the consistent support of Towns, who is enduring one of his worst playoff performances at a critical juncture.
Doncic and Irving’s synergy and scoring prowess have proven too much for the Timberwolves, highlighting the difference between emerging talent and established excellence. As Minnesota grapples with these challenges, the Mavericks continue to exploit their superstar advantage, bringing them closer to the finals.
Comments