After a 116-107 loss in Game 3 against the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday, the Minnesota Timberwolves now trail 3-0 in the Western Conference finals, despite the series’ total point difference being just 13 points thus far.
Although the numbers may suggest a close contest, the disparity between the Wolves and Mavericks, particularly among the star players, is stark. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving have outscored Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns by 70 points (181-111) across the first three games. The rest of the Wolves have outscored the rest of the Mavericks by 57 points, accounting for the series’ 13-point gap.
The performance gap is particularly evident in the star players. Towns, notably, has struggled, shooting a mere 27.8% in the series, including a dismal 3-of-22 from 3-point range. Conversely, Doncic and Irving have been dominant, combining for almost 60 points per game in the series and achieving a historic feat as the first starting backcourt in 50 years to each score at least 30 points in the same game three times during a postseason.
While Edwards showcases athleticism and scoring ability, his game still lacks consistency, especially in his outside shooting. Unlike Doncic and Irving, who confidently take and make difficult shots, Edwards sometimes hesitates in attacking the defense due to defensive attention and a lack of trust in his jump shot. Despite his promise to be more aggressive in Game 3, Edwards struggled with his shot selection, attempting only two 3-pointers and making just three jump shots all game.
In contrast, Doncic and Irving exhibit a mastery of shot selection and execution, consistently making difficult shots even under pressure. Their ability to dictate the game on their terms highlights their experience and confidence against defensive schemes.
While Edwards shows promise as a future superstar, he still has room to grow in terms of finding the balance between patience and aggression, a skill Doncic and Irving have mastered. Additionally, Edwards lacks the support of Towns, who is experiencing one of his worst performances at a crucial juncture in the series.
