The Dallas Mavericks are looking to close out the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals, and Luka Doncic came out with a hot hand.
The Mavericks guard got off to a fast start in the first quarter, notching 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting -- outscoring the entire Timberwolves roster. It was the second time in his career he had 20 points in a single quarter in the postseason.
Doncic hit four 3-pointers, including back-to-back triples -- one of which was from the logo -- to cap off a 12-0 Dallas run. The Mavericks ended the opening frame with a 35-19 lead.
LUKA DONCIC GAME 5 HEATER 🤯
— NBA (@NBA) May 31, 2024
Back-to-back triples for TWENTY POINTS in the 1st quarter!
Mavs on a 12-0 run on TNT https://t.co/Lw7seCfVZc pic.twitter.com/mhz3bjDhYi
Doncic became the first player to score 10 points within the first three minutes of a conference finals game in the past 25 years.
His performance caught the attention of Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant, who posted his reaction on X.
luka on dat timing rn 🔥
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) May 31, 2024
Heading into Thursday, Doncic averaged 34.2 points per game after a loss in the postseason. That is the highest mark in NBA history among players with at least 10 such games in their careers.
With a win, Dallas will reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2011.
ESPN Stats & Information contributed to this story.
