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Full coverage: Mavericks close out WCF Game 3 with thrilling fourth quarter

The Mavericks took a commanding 3-0 series lead over the Timberwolves to put them one win from the NBA Finals.

The Dallas Mavericks are one win away from the franchise’s third NBA Finals appearance and the first of Luka Doncic’s career.

Doncic and the Mavs took down the Timberwolves in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals on Sunday, a 116-107 victory brought on by a fourth-quarter surge.

See our full coverage of the win below, including game stories, photos and analysis.

Game stories

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Five thoughts: Mavericks one win from NBA Finals after hard-fought Game 3 win over Wolves

Mavs’ dynamic duo of Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving carries Dallas to 3-0 lead over T-Wolves

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Mavericks win Game 3 without Dereck Lively, but injury status could make or break them

National reaction to Mavs’ Game 3 win: Patrick Mahomes joins ‘crazy atmosphere’ at AAC

Patrick Mahomes, Dirk Nowitzki among celebrities at Mavs-Wolves Game 3

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Anthony Edwards not stressing after Wolves go down 0-3 to Mavericks: ‘We’ll be all right’

Photos: Game, fans, celebrities

Who to follow on Twitter/X: @townbrad | @MikeACurtis2 | @TimCowlishaw | @dmn_mavericks

Box score | Play-by-play

Game updates

Final: Mavericks 116, Timberwolves 107

Dallas takes a commanding 3-0 series in the Western Conference finals. Doncic and Irving score 33 each to lead the way. The Mavs can punch their ticket to the NBA Finals with a win in Game 4.

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Fourth quarter, 0:34 remaining: Mavericks 114, Timberwolves 105

The Mavericks have a nine-point lead. The AAC is rocking, Mavericks fans sensing a 3-0 series lead and a chance to close out the Wolves on Tuesday.

Fourth quarter, 1:00 remaining: Mavericks 111, Timberwolves 105

Finally, some space for the Mavericks. Kyrie Irving scores another in the fourth quarter to stretch their lead to six with a minute left.

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Fourth quarter, 4:34 remaining: Mavericks 104, Timberwolves 104

Still tied. Back and forth, back and forth ...

Fourth quarter, 7:00 remaining: Mavericks 100, Timberwolves 100

The teams continue to match each other step for step, still knotted up heading towards clutch time.

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End of third quarter: Mavericks 87, Timberwolves 87

Game 3 has the makings of a stellar finish after the Timberwolves climbed back in it and the teams see-sawed back and forth over the final minutes of the third quarter.

Luka Doncic has 26 for the Mavericks, Kyrie Irving with 19.

Anthony Edwards has 22 for Minnesota, Karl-Anthony Towns with 14.

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Third quarter, 4:10 remaining: Mavericks 77, Timberwolves 77

Anthony Edwards, after a two-game delay, has arrived.

With eight straight T-Wolves points he has Minnesota back even with the Mavs at 77. After scoring 19 and 21 points in the series’ first two games, Edwards already has 22 in Game 3.

Third quarter, 6:40 remaining: Mavericks 76, Timberwolves 71

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The Mavericks call a timeout after a quick 5-0 Minnesota run. Dallas is still in the lead, but, down 0-2, the Timberwolves aren’t going away quietly.

Third quarter, 8:36 remaining: Mavericks 72, Timberwolves 64

The Mavericks have retained their lead which has fluctuated anywhere from five to nine points over the past couple quarters. Dereck Lively, per Mavericks PR, is questionable to return with a neck sprain. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving lead the scoring for the Mavs with 20 and 17, respectively.

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Halftime

DJ Paul of Three 6 Mafia performed at halftime, and he was one of many celebrities on hand for Game 3.

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End of second quarter: Mavericks 60, Timberwolves 52

The Mavericks take an 8-point lead into halftime of Game 3. Here’s the stat breakdown from beat writer Mike Curtis:

Second quarter, 2:05 remaining, Mavericks 55, Timberwolves 43

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Second quarter, 4:39 remaining, Mavericks 50, Timberwolves 40

Minnesota coach Chris Finch unsuccessfully challenged a foul called on Anthony Edwards. Dwight Powell then entered the game for the Mavericks for the first time since May 7, the first game in the semifinal series against the Thunder.

Second quarter, 8:35 remaining, Mavericks 43, Timberwolves 33

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Mavericks center Dereck Lively II had to be helped off the court after Karl-Anthony Towns’ knee hit him in the head. He appeared woozy heading to the locker room and has not returned.

End of first quarter: Mavericks 33, Timberwolves 28

The Mavericks take a five-point lead into the break after a busy first quarter. Doncic leads the way for the Mavs with eight points, Kyrie Irving with seven and Dereck Lively with six.

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First quarter, 2:56 remaining: Mavericks 26, Timberwolves 21

The Mavericks have held their lead largely thanks to Dereck Lively’s six straight points for Dallas, all on dunks.

First quarter, 6:00 remaining: Mavericks 15, Timberwolves 13

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Midway through the opening period the Mavericks are out to an early lead, with all five starters having scored to start the game.

First quarter, 8:28 remaining: Mavericks 9, Timberwolves 6

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Pregame updates

6:36 p.m.: The Mavericks have announced their starters. No changes to the 5.

6:04 p.m.: As expected, per Mavericks PR, Luka Doncic will play in Game 3.

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5:47 p.m.: Mavs head coach Jason Kidd said in his pregame interview that Luka Doncic is, officially, questionable to play in Game 3, still feeling discomfort from his sore right knee.

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Pregame reading

Sorry, Anthony Edwards. Mavericks star Luka Doncic is the true face of the NBA

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‘Y’all gonna see tonight’: Wolves’ Anthony Edwards to up aggression in Game 3 vs. Mavs

5 thoughts: Mavericks’ Luka Doncic seals comeback win vs. Timberwolves, 2-0 series lead

Former Mavericks center reflects on Mavs-Wolves, his West finals vs. Showtime Lakers

Why there’s an uncertain future for Charles Barkley and Co. at TNT’s ‘Inside the NBA’

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What was Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving thinking after his missed free throws?

Every angle of Luka Doncic’s game-winning 3-pointer in Mavericks’ Game 2 win over T-Wolves

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