Luka Doncic posts a near triple-double in his return as Mavs lose to Timberwolves / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: USA Sports Today-Scanpix Credit USA Sports Today-Scanpix

Luka Doncic made his return after missing a game against the Houston Rockets but despite his near triple-double performance Dallas Mavericks (45-29) suffered a 95-116 (22-26, 28-35, 17-28, 28-27) defeat against the Minnesota Timberwolves (43-32).

Player of the Game EFF 23 Karl-Anthony Towns Points 20 Accuracy 7-10 Rebounds 9 Assists 1

In 37 minutes, Doncic accumulated 24 points (3/7 2PT, 5/11 3PT, 3/5 FT), 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal, and 3 turnovers.

Towns didn't look the worse for wear despite being listed as questionable for the game due to a right forearm contusion. Towns bolted out of the blocks by scoring 13 points in the first quarter before battling foul trouble.

Jordan McLaughlin scored 16 points and D'Angelo Russell added 15 for the Timberwolves (43-32), who snapped a two-game skid and avenged a 110-108 setback over Dallas on Monday. Taurean Prince had 14 points, while Anthony Edwards and Jarred Vanderbilt each added 12 in the win.

All was not rosy for Minnesota, which saw Malik Beasley suffer a sprained left ankle in the second quarter. He did not return to the contest.

Luka Doncic recorded 24 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. However, he joined Prince in being whistled for a technical foul as time expired in the third quarter. Doncic has 15 technical fouls on the season, with the next one earning him an automatic one-game suspension.

Doncic sank 5 of 11 of his attempts from 3-point range. The rest of the Mavericks (45-29) combined to make 5 of 32 shots from beyond the arc.

Dallas remained tied with the fourth-place Utah Jazz, who dropped a 107-101 decision to Charlotte on Friday. The Jazz hold the tiebreaker for home-court advantage in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs entering their clash versus the host Mavericks on Sunday.

Minnesota enjoyed an 11-point lead at halftime before doubling the advantage in the third quarter. Edwards scored eight points in the third and Dallas didn't help itself following a brutal 1-for-14 showing from 3-point range.

Edwards made a layup and McLaughlin sank a 3-pointer and a 10-foot bank shot to push the Timberwolves' lead to 102-78 with 6:01 to play in the fourth quarter.

Spencer Dinwiddie recorded a three-point play, a blocked shot and a 3-pointer during a surge as the Mavericks trimmed the Timberwolves' lead to two points early in the second quarter. Undaunted, Minnesota finished with a flourish to seize a 61-50 advantage at halftime.

Timberwolves: Karl-Anthony Towns 20 (5/6 2PT, 2/4 3PT, 9 REB), Jordan McLaughlin 16 (3/5 3PT, 5 REB), D'Angelo Russell 15 (5/10 2PT, 1/6 3PT, 5 REB, 8 AST), Taurean Prince 14 (2/4 3PT, 5 REB), Anthony Edwards 12 (6/10 2PT, 6 REB, 4 AST), Jarred Vanderbilt 12, Patrick Beverley 10.Mavericks: Luka Doncic 24 (3/7 2PT, 5/11 3PT, 10 REB, 8 AST), Dwight Powell 13 (5/7 2PT, 5 REB), Jalen Brunson 11 (1/6 3PT, 6 REB), Spencer Dinwiddie 11 (1/5 3PT).

Luka Doncic highlights

Full game highlights

Thank you for being with us! Subscribe to BN+ and browse ad-free.