Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves delivered thrilling matchups in the 2024-25 NBA season reigniting a rivalry that peaked during the 2024 Western Conference Finals where Dallas triumphed 4-1 (en.wikipedia.org). With roster changes most notably Luka Dončić’s trade to the Lakers for Anthony Davis in February 2025 (en.wikipedia.org)and standout performances from Kyrie Irving and Anthony Edwards these games showcased contrasting styles: Dallas offensive firepower versus Minnesota’s defensive grit. This player stats from their key 2024-25 regular season games (October 29 2024 December 25 2024 and January 23, 2025) and the 2024 playoffs drawing from sources like NBA.com Sportskeeda.com ESPN.com and posts on X. Aimed at fans fantasy players.
Table of Contents
Rivalry Context and 2024-25 Matchups
Dallas leads the all-time regular season series 78-61 across 139 games (landofbasketball.com). The 2024 Western Conference Finals saw the Mavericks overpower the Timberwolves, with Dončić and Irving averaging 32.4 and 27 points, respectively (MatejSportinfo, X). The 2024-25 season brought changes: Minnesota traded Karl-Anthony Towns for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, while Dallas acquired Davis, reshaping their frontcourt (en.wikipedia.org). The teams met three times in the regular season (NBA.com, Sofascore.com):
- October 29, 2024, at Target Center: Mavericks won 120-114 (ESPN.com).
- December 25, 2024, at American Airlines Center: Timberwolves won 105-99 (Sportskeeda.com).
- January 23, 2025, at American Airlines Center: No detailed stats available, scheduled at 12:30 AM UTC (Sofascore.com).
Below, we dive into player stats from the October and December games, with context from the 2024 playoffs.
October 29, 2024: Mavericks 120 Timberwolves 114
Game Overview
In a rematch of the 2024 Western Conference Finals, Dallas edged Minnesota 120-114 at Target Center (ESPN.com). Anthony Edwards’ 24-point first quarter gave Minnesota a 34-26 lead, but Kyrie Irving’s 16 third-quarter points and Dončić’s clutch three sealed the win (Sportskeeda.com). Dallas improved to 3-1, while Minnesota’s 20 turnovers and 9 missed free throws proved costly (JonKrawczynski, X).
Dallas Mavericks Player Stats
- Kyrie Irving: 35 points (13/23 FG, 6/8 3P, 75% 3P), 5 assists, 4 rebounds. Irving’s third-quarter outburst and 56.5% FG efficiency led Dallas (Sportskeeda.com).
- Luka Dončić: 24 points (9/22 FG, 1/8 3P), 9 assists, 8 rebounds. Dončić’s late three with 1:04 left secured an eight-point lead (Mavs Moneyball).
- Daniel Gafford: 14 points (6/8 FG), 6 rebounds. Gafford’s eight first-quarter points kept Dallas competitive (Sportskeeda.com).
- P.J. Washington: 12 points (5/10 FG, 2/4 3P), 7 rebounds, 2 assists. Washington’s timely baskets sparked a 13-3 run (ESPN.com).
- Klay Thompson: 8 points (3/7 FG, 2/5 3P), 4 rebounds. Thompson’s shooting was limited but effective (NBA.com).
Dallas’ 48% three-point shooting and 25 assists outpaced Minnesota’s sloppy play (NBA.com).
Minnesota Timberwolves Player Stats
- Anthony Edwards: 37 points (14/27 FG, 5/12 3P), 6 rebounds, 5 turnovers. Edwards’ career-high 24-point quarter wasn’t enough (Sportskeeda.com).
- Julius Randle: 20 points (8/16 FG), 7 rebounds, 7 assists. Randle’s versatility kept Minnesota in contention (JonKrawczynski, X).
- Naz Reid: 14 points (6/11 FG), 9 rebounds. Reid provided a bench spark (JonKrawczynski, X).
- Rudy Gobert: 8 points, 12 rebounds, 2 blocks. Gobert’s rim protection was solid but offensively limited (NBA.com).
- Mike Conley: 6 points, 5 assists, 3 turnovers. Conley struggled against Dallas’ pressure (ESPN.com).
Minnesota’s 20 turnovers led to 24 Dallas points, and their 31% three-point shooting lagged behind (NBA.com).
Key Takeaways
Irving’s efficiency and Dončić’s clutch play overcame Edwards’ hot start. Dallas’ third-quarter surge (32-23) and low turnovers (10) were decisive, while Minnesota’s sloppy execution highlighted early-season rust (Mavs Moneyball).
December 25, 2024: Timberwolves 105, Mavericks 99
Game Overview
On Christmas Day, Minnesota upset Dallas 105-99 at American Airlines Center, despite Dončić exiting at halftime with a calf strain (Sportskeeda.com). Minnesota’s 33-16 second quarter, led by Randle and Gobert, built a lead Dallas couldn’t erase, despite a 26-9 fourth-quarter rally (NBA.com). The Timberwolves moved to 14-14, while Dallas fell to 19-10 (Sportskeeda.com).
Minnesota Timberwolves Player Stats
- Anthony Edwards: 26 points (10/22 FG, 3/8 3P), 8 rebounds, 4 assists. Edwards’ 13 second-half points stabilized Minnesota (Sportskeeda.com).
- Julius Randle: 23 points (9/17 FG, 2/指标: Dallas Mavericks Player Stats
- Kyrie Irving: 35 points (13/23 FG, 6/8 3P), 5 assists, 4 rebounds
- Luka Dončić: 24 points (9/22 FG, 1/8 3P), 9 assists, 8 rebounds
- Daniel Gafford: 14 points (6/8 FG), 6 rebounds
- P.J. Washington: 12 points (5/10 FG, 2/4 3P), 7 rebounds, 2 assists
- Klay Thompson: 8 points (3/7 FG, 2/5 3P), 4 rebounds
Dallas Mavericks Player Stats
- Kyrie Irving: 28 points (11/20 FG, 4/7 3P), 6 assists, 5 rebounds. Irving’s 14 fourth-quarter points fueled the comeback attempt (Sportskeeda.com).
- Klay Thompson: 14 points (5/10 FG, 4/8 3P), 3 rebounds. Thompson’s shooting kept Dallas alive (NBA.com).
- Daniel Gafford: 10 points (4/6 FG), 8 rebounds, 2 blocks. Gafford battled Gobert effectively (NBA.com).
- P.J. Washington: 8 points (3/9 FG, 2/5 3P), 6 rebounds. Washington struggled offensively (Sportskeeda.com).
- Spencer Dinwiddie: 12 points (4/8 FG, 2/4 3P), 4 assists. Dinwiddie’s bench scoring was crucial (NBA.com).
Dallas’ 16-point second quarter and 41% field goal shooting reflected their struggle without Dončić (NBA.com).
Key Takeaways
Minnesota’s second-quarter dominance and balanced scoring overcame Dallas’ late surge. Edwards and Randle’s versatility outshined Irving’s heroics, while Dončić’s absence exposed Dallas’ reliance on his playmaking (Sportskeeda.com).
January 23, 2025: Limited Data
The third matchup occurred at American Airlines Center, but detailed stats are unavailable (Sofascore.com). Dallas, now with Anthony Davis, likely leaned on his interior presence, while Minnesota’s Edwards and Gobert continued to drive their attack. Given Dallas’ 19-10 record and Minnesota’s 14-14 standing at Christmas, the game was likely competitive (Sportskeeda.com).
2024 Western Conference Finals: Player Stats Highlights
The 2024 playoffs set the stage for the 2024-25 matchups, with Dallas winning 4-1 (Basketball-Reference.com). Key games included:
Game 1 (May 22, 2024): Mavericks 108, Timberwolves 105
- Mavericks: Luka Dončić (33 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds), Kyrie Irving (30 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists), Dereck Lively II (9 points, 11 rebounds) (GrantAfseth, X).
- Timberwolves: Jaden McDaniels (24 points, 4 rebounds), Anthony Edwards (19 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists) (GrantAfseth, X).
Game 2 (May 24, 2024): Mavericks 109, Timberwolves 108
- Mavericks: Dončić (32 points, 13 assists, 10 rebounds), Irving (20 points, 6 assists), Lively II (14 points, 9 rebounds) (GrantAfseth, X).
- Timberwolves: Naz Reid (23 points, 2 rebounds), Edwards (21 points, 7 assists) (GrantAfseth, X).
Game 3 (May 26, 2024): Mavericks 116, Timberwolves 107
- Mavericks: Dončić (33 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals), Irving (33 points, 4 assists), P.J. Washington (16 points, 8 rebounds) (GrantAfseth, X).
- Timberwolves: Edwards (26 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists), Mike Conley (16 points, 5 rebounds) (Sportskeeda.com).
Game 5 (May 30, 2024): Mavericks 124, Timberwolves 103
- Mavericks: Dončić (36 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists), Irving (36 points, 5 assists), P.J. Washington (12 points, 7 rebounds) (ESPN.com).
- Timberwolves: Edwards (28 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists), Towns (28 points, 12 rebounds) (ESPN.com).
Dallas’ high-efficiency shooting (62.7% TS for Dončić, 58.5% for Irving) and defensive pressure overwhelmed Minnesota (MatejSportinfo, X).
Key Players and Trends
Dallas Mavericks
- Kyrie Irving: 28-35 points, 56.5-75% 3P vs. Minnesota. Irving’s clutch scoring is Dallas’ backbone (Sportskeeda.com).
- Luka Dončić (pre-trade): 24-33 points, 8-13 assists. His absence in December’s second half hurt Dallas (Mavs Moneyball).
- Daniel Gafford: 10-14 points, 6-8 rebounds. Gafford’s rim protection and efficiency are vital (NBA.com).
- Klay Thompson: 8-14 points, 40-50% 3P. Thompson’s shooting stretches defenses (NBA.com).
- Dallas’ 48% three-point shooting in October and 25+ assists highlight their offensive fluidity (NBA.com).
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- Anthony Edwards: 26-37 points, 6-9 rebounds. Edwards’ scoring outbursts are Minnesota’s engine (Sportskeeda.com).
- Julius Randle: 20-23 points, 7-8 rebounds. Randle’s post-Towns versatility shines (JonKrawczynski, X).
- Rudy Gobert: 8-17 points, 12-16 rebounds. Gobert’s rebounding and defense anchor Minnesota (NBA.com).
- Naz Reid: 14-23 points, 2-9 rebounds. Reid’s bench scoring is a game-changer (GrantAfseth, X).
- Minnesota’s 20 turnovers in October and 31% three-point shooting expose offensive inconsistencies (NBA.com).
Fantasy and Betting Insights
For NBA Fantasy and FanDuel, Irving (28-35 points) and Edwards (26-37 points) are must-starts due to their scoring consistency (Sportskeeda.com). Gobert’s 12-16 rebounds and Gafford’s 6-8 rebounds are reliable for rebound-heavy formats (NBA.com). Sofascore.com notes Dallas’ 40% ATS win rate vs. Minnesota’s 40%, with Minnesota’s +4.5 underdog line in October suggesting close games (Sofascore.com). Bettors should target Edwards’ over on points and Irving’s three-point props (ESPN.com).
Why These Stats Matter
Player stats from these games reveal team dynamics: Dallas’ high-octane offense vs. Minnesota’s defensive identity. Irving’s efficiency and Thompson’s shooting make Dallas dangerous, while Edwards’ explosiveness and Gobert’s rim protection keep Minnesota competitive (Sportskeeda.com). The Dončić trade and Davis’ integration add intrigue for future matchups. For fans, these stats highlight stars; for fantasy players, they guide roster picks; for bettors, they inform wagering strategies (Sofascore.com).
Conclusion
The Dallas Mavericks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves matchups in the 2024-25 season, including October 29, 2024 (120-114) and December 25, 2024 (105-99), showcased a rivalry defined by star power and tactical battles. Kyrie Irving’s 35-point outburst and Luka Dončić’s clutch plays powered Dallas, while Anthony Edwards’ 37-point explosion and Julius Randle’s versatility kept Minnesota in contention (Sportskeeda.com). The 2024 Western Conference Finals, where Dallas dominated 4-1 behind Dončić’s 62.7% true shooting, set the stage (MatejSportinfo, X). Despite Dončić’s trade, Dallas’ depth and Minnesota’s defensive resilience ensure this rivalry remains must-watch. These player stats offer fans, fantasy players, and bettors critical insights into a playoff-caliber matchup shaping the 2024-25 NBA season.
FAQS
Who were the standout performers for the Mavericks in their 120-114 win over the Timberwolves on October 29, 2024?
Kyrie Irving led Dallas with 35 points (13/23 FG, 6/8 3P, 75% 3P), 5 assists, and 4 rebounds, scoring 16 points in the third quarter. Luka Dončić added 24 points (9/22 FG), 9 assists, and 8 rebounds, including a clutch three-pointer with 1:04 left to secure the victory (Sportskeeda.com, ESPN.com).
How did Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle impact the Timberwolves’ 105-99 Christmas Day win against the Mavericks on December 25, 2024?
Anthony Edwards scored 26 points (10/22 FG, 3/8 3P), with 8 rebounds and 4 assists, leading Minnesota’s second-half effort. Julius Randle contributed 23 points (9/17 FG), 8 rebounds, and 7 assists, helping build a 33-16 second-quarter lead that sealed the upset (Sportskeeda.com, NBA.com).
What role did the bench players play in the Mavericks vs. Timberwolves game on October 29, 2024?
Dallas’ bench, led by Spencer Dinwiddie’s 6 points and key assists, outscored Minnesota’s reserves, supporting a 13-3 game-sealing run. Minnesota’s Naz Reid scored 14 points off the bench but couldn’t overcome the team’s 20 turnovers, which led to 24 Dallas points (NBA.com, JonKrawczynski, X).