MINNEAPOLIS — Coming off a Game 1 victory, the Dallas Mavericks achieved another victory at Target Center to begin the Western Conference finals with a 2-0 series lead. It came down to the final possession for the Mavs, with Luka Doncic’s game-winning step-back 3-pointer with Rudy Gobert on an island pushing them to a 109-108 win in Game 2.
Minnesota featured Towns early in the post to attack the smaller matchup in P.J. Washington. While he initially shot 1-5 from the floor, he could draw fouls and had five early points. Minnesota pushed the pace after the Mavericks’ turnovers, but began playing out of side ball screens with Mike Conley attacking Doncic trying to deny use of the screen with ICE coverage by attacking space baseline.
It was a tightly contested game early, with the Timberwolves going up 21-17 midway through the first period after Derrick Jones Jr. was blocked in transition, leading to a catch and finish for Gobert. The early momentum continued to be in Minnesota’s favor, with Dallas to turn positive plays into lengthy runs.
Naz Reid heated up with a made 3-pointer both to end the first quarter and to begin the second. With Towns taking advantage of the mismatch against Washington, he extended Minnesota’s advantage to double figures (11) for the first time in the game. Dallas responded by getting Lively to the free throw line, but Conley fired back with a 3-pointer to extend the Timberwolves’ edge to 12.
Doncic responded by snaking a ball screen to get a step-back 3-pointer. However, Minnesota continued to answer back Dallas, with Towns being featured inside as the offense’s focal point. He scored against Washington in the post, then found Reid in the corner to put the Timberwolves up by a 15-point margin, prompting the Mavericks to call a timeout. The lead grew as large as 17.
Dallas began tightening up defensively but came up empty in opportune situations offensively, including Lively mishandling a catch on an open alley-oop. Minnesota held a 60-48 advantage entering the break, with double figure scoring performances already from Edwards with 13 points while Conley and Reid each had 12 points. Towns and Gobert both added nine points and five rebounds at this point as well.
Doncic recorded 16 points, six rebounds, and five assists playing 21 of 24 first half minutes, but had a difficult time getting to his spots in the first half. He shot 5-14 from the floor and 2-8 from inside the arc. He was the team’s only double figure scorer to this point, with Lively’s eight points being closest. Dallas shot 18-46 (39.1%) overall and 4-14 (28.6%) from deep through two quarters.
Early in the second half, the Mavericks made it a six-point game after Doncic continued to guide the offense with his scoring and playmaking. A turnover prevented them from progressing after reaching that point, but Dallas stuck with it and eventually overtook the lead. Doncic was having an easier time attacking downhill than earlier in the game while hitting a 3-pointer.
Without Doncic on the court, Jaden Hardy made impressive plays to pull the Mavericks within two points multiple times. The first was a 3-pointer followed by a closeout attack that led to a lob pass for Gafford. Irving also made a series of plays attacking downhill, but Minnesota closed the period with an 86-79 lead after Reid hit a quick trigger 3-pointer out of a Horns flare set.
Doncic returned to the court for the fourth quarter with Irving also on the floor. Dallas used an 8-0 run to quckly overtake an 87-86 advantage with Irving scoring or assisting on all of these points. He used a pair of 3-pointers and assisted Washington during this stretch.
With the Mavericks focused on collapsing the paint when Edwards attacked downhill, Minnesota had a five-out offense out to begin the period. This helped create a spray-out pass that led to a 3-pointer for Reid to retake the lead. Irving responded with a deep make from beyond the arc of his own. The game was set up to be tight, with every possession being crucial.
Dallas continued to leave Reid open and were made to pay for doing so. His seventh made 3-pointer put Minnesota ahead 94-92 with 6:36 remaining in regulation. It was a struggle for the Mavericks to find the proper balance with handling double screener actions along with gnerall collapsing the paint while being able to get out on Reid with many of his shots being wide open.
Gafford finished a series of paint touches, including a throw-ahead transition pass where he bodied Conley to secure the catch and threw up the scoop finish on his way to the ground. Reid again responded by attacking off the catch for a dunk to tie it up again. Dallas became more focused on switching these actions down the stretch.
Minnesota made a series of clutch plays in the paint to maintain a three-point lead while Irving split a pair of free throws and turned it over trying to attack Edwards. Irving did manage to recover the ball before lobbing it to Lively for a dunk, but Conley made a floater on the other end. Dallas came within one point numerous times in this stint.
Dallas turned to Stack pick-and-roll for Doncic to find Lively behind Gobert for a catch and finish to pull ahead, but Conley responded with a made floater. Irving had a second-chance 3-point attempt to give the Mavericks momentum but missed after Jones’ initial offline attempt. Edwards attacked the rack to get to the line and made both free throws, putting Minnesota up by three with under two minutes remaining the game clock.
Irving used a double drag action to get deep on a drive before using contact to draw a foul, but he missed both free throw attempts. Dallas then fouled Edwards while in the bonus as he was trying to pass, resultign in falling down by five after he made both. Irving hit a corner 3-pointer late in the shot clock to make it 108-106 with about a minute left.
Edwards drew two on a ball screen and passed it to McDaniels on the baseline, who immediately was trapped and ended up turning it over after a successful challenge by the Mavericks. Dallas gained possession with 47.3 seconds to play while facing a two-point deficit. Doncic orchestrated a possession out of Horns that got Gobert switched onto him but he missed a step-back in short-range. Edwards then turned it over after getting stuck near the nail making a series of pivots.
The Mavericks once again had possession with a chance to tie or take the lead. This time, 12.8 seconds were remaining in the fourth quarter. Doncic seized the moment by getting Gobert switched onto him again and breaking him down off the dribble to create what proved to be the game-winning shot since Reid went on to miss at the buzzer.
Looking ahead, the series will continue on Sunday when Game 3 is played at American Airlines Center for the first of two games.
Stick with MavericksGameday for more coverage of the Dallas Mavericks throughout the NBA Playoffs.
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An off-duty Dallas police officer shot at a group of people allegedly trying to steal his personal vehicle on Sunday afternoon in Addison, officials said.
According to the Addison Police Department, around 2:15 p.m., the off-duty Dallas officer saw a group of people trying to steal his vehicle in a parking lot at 5000 Belt Line Road. He confronted the suspects, “and during the encounter, fired a weapon at the suspects’ vehicle.”
The suspects fled in their vehicle, Addison police said, and it is unknown if any suspects were hit by gunfire.
The investigation is ongoing.
The Dallas Wings can’t seem to get a win, at least when it comes to the team’s training facility and arena. Not only is its practice facility in west Oak Cliff, approved over the summer and fast-tracked to open ahead of the team’s spring season, now running behind schedule, it is also somehow over budget.
Dallas had already committed $55 million for the team’s practice facility, a price tag we were uncomfortable with from the beginning. At the time, city staff said that was the amount needed to build a training facility with the amenities and infrastructure required for a WNBA team. The city argued there were few viable alternative locations for the practice facility after delays with the convention center, and they were running out of time. Enter the $55 million facility at Joey Georgusis Park.
But now the project needs an additional $27 million to cross the finish line. How did costs increase so much in just a few months? And how did a project that was expedited to meet the team’s deadline end up falling behind and over budget?
City staff attribute the holdup to missed deadlines by the project management firm McKissack and McKissack and new requirements from the WNBA that weren’t part of the original scope. McKissack and McKissack didn’t respond to multiple messages seeking comment for this editorial. Whatever the company’s missteps, the city is ultimately responsible for conducting due diligence and making sure the project stays on track, and it couldn’t deliver what it promised.
Now the city wants the Wings to take over. The city would cap its total contributions at $57 million, which includes $653,000 in delay reimbursements. The Wings would then cover the remaining costs, at least $27 million, needed to finish the practice facility and agree not to sue Dallas for the delays.
Some City Council members have suggested that Dallas should consider the American Airlines Center for the Wings’ practice facility and arena. But even though the Dallas Mavericks and the Dallas Stars, who currently play at the AAC, are looking to leave, their lease agreements run through 2031. That doesn’t do much for the Wings who need a practice facility now.
Maybe all of this could have been avoided if the city had more seriously considered existing facilities that could have accommodated the Wings. That’s not to say the team doesn’t deserve a training space that will meet their needs, but repurposing an existing space instead of starting from the ground up might have saved both time and money.
This debacle is frustrating for the Wings, and it also isn’t a good look for the city. If Dallas can’t figure out how to deliver a practice facility that it promised to one of its professional sports teams, how can it hope to attract more businesses and major investments? Anyone watching this unfold would have good reason to question the city’s ability to deliver.
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If you want some insight into how the Cowboys are thinking heading into free agency Monday, consider the trade they didn’t make this weekend.
The Cowboys were interested in star edge rusher Maxx Crosby before the Las Vegas Raiders sent him to the Baltimore Ravens for two first-round picks. Dallas offered one of its first-round picks in this year’s draft and a second-round pick in 2027, a person familiar with the team’s thinking told The Dallas Morning News.
In doing so, the Cowboys made it known how willing — or unwilling — they were to go to get a premium defender.
It’s no secret the Cowboys have a lot to do this offseason. That’s especially true on defense, where the Cowboys are tasked with rebuilding the league’s worst defense from a year ago. It’s factual, as well, that there are many ways the Cowboys could approach this offseason.
Here are 10 steps the Cowboys can take toward achieving a perfect offseason — at least in our eyes.
The Seattle Seahawks had a dominant defense a year ago. It’s a major reason they won the Super Bowl. Fun fact: that defense also had just one player with a contract with an annual value over $20 million per year. The Cowboys, meanwhile, had three such players on their defense last season.
The point: sometimes it’s more about the collective than adding one high-priced, yet very good, free agent. That’s especially true for the Cowboys.
Trey Hendrickson is going to have a big market. Interested teams have waited for the opportunity to sign him for years. Spotrac projects his market value at $25.4 million, and there’s a chance his final deal goes above that.
The Cowboys aren’t one instant-impact free agent away from improving this defense. They need more than that.
New Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker wants a versatile defense. He’ll need versatile chess pieces, especially in the secondary. Saints corner Alontae Taylor could be that chess piece. Taylor can play in the slot and outside. He also hasn’t missed a game in the last three seasons, lowering the injury risk for a secondary that has a bunch of it.
Taylor won’t come cheap. Spotrac gives him a market value over $11 million, though he could sign for more. The Cowboys haven’t waded into waters like that for a free agent in some time — but they should in this case.
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean (17) celebrates after sacking Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott during the third quarter of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer
The Cowboys are on the hunt for someone to play alongside linebacker DeMarvion Overshown. They want someone who can be their green-dot Mike linebacker to get everyone aligned in Parker’s defense. It makes sense, then, that Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean will be one of their targets, multiple people familiar with the team’s thinking have indicated.
Dean understands the system, he fits what they’re looking for next to the speedy Overshown, and he can be a valuable blitzer. The one problem: he’s been injury-prone recently. That’s why he shouldn’t be the only linebacker they acquire this offseason — but he should be the first. Former Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke could be another option higher in the market.
It’s become obvious that this year’s safety draft class has the chance to produce a good amount of quality starters. Whether it’s Caleb Downs early, or TCU’s Bud Clark on Day 2, there are good options. That should also push down the price for some veteran safety free agents. The Cowboys should take advantage and double-dip. It’ll be interesting to see the market for former Eagles safety Reed Blankenship. Another affordable option could be Denver’s P.J. Locke. Both have familiarity with Parker.
One of the popular external conversations since the end of the season has been about veteran safety Malik Hooker and right tackle Terence Steele. The Cowboys could save $20 million in cap space by releasing both and designating them as post-June 1 cuts. While tempting, don’t expect the Cowboys to be in the business of adding more holes to a boat they’re trying to fix. They also lack known entities behind them worth entrusting.
Remember when I brought up Seattle? Part of the Seahawks’ success has come from drafting well on defense. The Cowboys haven’t drafted well on defense in a while. They need to hit on their 12th pick and they need to do it at a vital position like corner or edge. If one of the elite edge rushers falls and is there, take them. If Mansoor Delane from LSU is there, sprint to the podium. It’ll be hard to find affordable, quality options at both positions in free agency, making it more important to get one at the draft. Stick at No. 12 and pick there.
LSU defensive back Mansoor Delane answers questions during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026.
Eric Gay / AP
As for Dallas’ second first-round pick, I’d recommend moving back to get more Day 2 selections. The Cowboys don’t have any after trading for defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and George Pickens last year. It’s easier said than done, of course, but if a team is willing to move up and offer multiple picks to do so, then the Cowboys should be willing. People familiar with the team’s thinking have said they want to get back into Day 2. That portion of the draft, the second and third rounds, is very dense in talent this year. The Cowboys have a ton of holes on defense, but they could remedy those problems with more selections.
The Cowboys have nearly 20 free agents of their own. Outside of a few exceptions, and outside of exclusive rights free agents like corners Josh Butler and Reddy Steward, it would be wise for the Cowboys to let them hit the market. Dallas needs a clean slate on defense.
The Cowboys already restructured the deals for wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, left guard Tyler Smith and quarterback Dak Prescott. More moves to open up cap space should be expected, as well. The two logical areas are the contracts for Williams and Clark. Both have over a $21 million cap hit for next season. That has to change. For Williams, I’d get ahead of things and sign him to a major extension now. He’s one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL and should be a cornerstone for this defense. Pay him like it. Clark could be an extension or pay-cut candidate. His cap hit can’t be that high if the Cowboys want to make the moves they’re motivated to make.
Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey indicated this week he’s open to seeing what the market looks like for him as a restricted free agent. The Cowboys have had an offer on the table that would make him the highest-paid kicker in the NFL, eclipsing Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, who makes $6.4 million per year. No deal has been consummated, however, resulting in the Cowboys placing a second-round tender on Aubrey worth around $5.8 million.
If a team wants Aubrey they’ll have to sign him to a record deal and give up a second-round pick for him — a price that is unlikely to be met.
The Cowboys have every reason to let Aubrey’s situation play out. The same can be said for George Pickens. The Cowboys placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Pickens, worth just under $28 million a year. Pickens is worth more than that, but how much? The market should give some indication, but just like Aubrey, the price will likely be too high for other teams. The Cowboys would get two first-round picks if someone agreed to a deal with Pickens and the Cowboys elected not to match.
The Cowboys have leverage in both situations. Aubrey and Pickens have some, too: they’re both Pro Bowl players and their services would be missed.
I know, I know: Is it worth having more offseason contract drama? In this case, for the Cowboys, it probably is.
Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
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