The NBA’s most evolving rivalry, Timberwolves vs Dallas Mavericks timeline. Those two Western Conference teams have met in some high stakes matchups, from regular season battles to playoff matchups. New drama, star power and unforgettable moments have been added to each game. Their meetings mirror the modern day intensity of basketball and with rising talent and strong fan bases are often closer.
This timeline is to give fans, analysts and newcomers an understanding of how the rivalry has grown over the years. Our goal is to provide a clear and trustworthy view of this exciting NBA rivalry by marrying up verified stats, historical records and expert analysis.
A Historical Overview of Timberwolves vs Dallas Mavericks Timeline
|
Total
|
Dallas Mavericks (W)
|
Minnesota Timberwolves (W)
|
|
|
Total Matches
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81 | 49 | 32 |
|
NBA Regular season
|
72 | 45 | 27 |
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NBA Playoffs
|
5 | 4 | 1 |
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NBA Preseason
|
3 | 0 | 3 |
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NBA Summer League
|
1 | 0 | 1 |
The NBA history timeline of Timberwolves vs Dallas Mavericks is more than two decades long. The two first met early in the 1990s, setting off a competitive Western Conference dance.
The 2000s belonged to the Mavericks with Dirk Nowitzki, while the Timberwolves flashed greatness in Kevin Garnett. Both teams have rebuilt, drafted top talent and rekindled their rivalry over the years. This season, however, has been particularly intense thanks to recent performances from Luka Dončić and Anthony Edwards.
We provide a trustworthy, expert driven, timeline by looking at official NBA stats, team records and moments. Fans can see how both the franchises have grown, clashed and made some indelible memories on the court in this overview.
Key Matchups: Timberwolves vs Dallas Mavericks Through the Years
Over the years, the Timberwolves and Mavericks have constructed a must watch rivalry featuring tough regular season games and never forgettable playoff matchups.
Regular Season Battles
The Mavericks have a slight edge in their 139 regular season meetings, winning 78 while the Timberwolves have 61. In recent seasons, though, the Timberwolves are starting to come on, winning 7 of the last 10 meetings. Some notable games are Minnesota’s 115–114 victory on January 22, 2025 which proved the team’s ability to fight back and make smart choices.
Playoff Encounters
The two teams have met twice in the playoffs. The Timberwolves were swept 3-0 by the Mavericks in the first round in 2002. In the 2024 Western Conference Finals, Dallas won again, beating the series 4-1. It was key performances from Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving that helped win these matches.
Evolving Rivalry
These teams are still changing each other and while it has players like Dončić directing the Mavericks and emerging stars like Anthony Edwards leading the Timberwolves. Their meetings are the stuff of NBA legend and a highlight of the NBA calendar due to the competitive spirit and talent of both franchises.
Memorable Games: Highlighting the Most Exciting Timberwolves vs Mavericks Encounters
Over the years the Timberwolves and Mavericks have put together some real thrillers. Here are some games from their rivalry that I really liked:
1. December 30, 2008 – Mavericks’ Historic Comeback
Minnesota had a 29 point third quarter lead, but Dallas came back to win 107–100. Dirk Nowitzki had 24 and Jason Terry had 29 to lead the charge in one of the NBA’s largest comebacks.
2. March 19, 2014 – Rubio’s Triple-Double in Overtime Win
Ricky Rubio had 22 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds and the Timberwolves beat the Magic 123 122 in overtime. He showed his all around game and his clutch playmaking.
3. December 14, 2023 – Dončić’s Triple-Double
Luka Dončić tallied 35 points, 12 rebounds, and 13 assists, guiding the Mavericks to a narrow win. His leadership and versatility were on full display.
4. February 2, 2024 – Edwards’ Career-High Performance
The Timberwolves won in overtime behind a career best 48 points from Anthony Edwards. His stardom was on the rise and he showed it by his explosive scoring.
5. May 24, 2024 – Dončić’s Game-Winner in Western Conference Finals
Dončić scored a step back three with three seconds to go in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals to give Dallas a 109–108 win. In a clutch performance, he finished with a triple double.
With these games, the Timberwolves-Mavericks rivalry has been brought to life with plenty of drama and the fans will remember their moments and stars from both teams.
Player Rivalries: Top Showdowns in the Timberwolves vs Mavericks Timeline
Player matchups have comprised the Timberwolves and Mavericks’ rivalry, with the most intense being Anthony Edwards and Luka Dončić. Even ESPN analyst Tim Legler called their duel the NBA’s best current rivalry.
Dončić averaged 32.4 points, 9.6 rebounds and 8.2 assists as he was named the 2024 Western Conference Finals MVP. This held his clutch game over Rudy Gobert in Game 2.
Minnesota’s Edwards, 23, has risen to be a star, leading the team past a string of top teams in the playoffs. Although the Mavericks won the series, his 29 points in Game 4 was a glimpse of what he could be and there’s no question he’s still getting better.
Kyrie Irving’s 30 points in the first half of Game 1 and Karl Anthony Towns’ 25 in Game 4 only stoked the rivalry.
The Edwards-Dončić rivalry has become a hallmark of the contest between these two teams, as both grow each year.
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Future Outlook: What Lies Ahead for the Timberwolves vs Dallas Mavericks Rivalry
For some time, the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks rivalry has included fascinating player matchups that include Anthony Edwards and Luka Dončić. But their confrontations have been a delight for fans and analysts alike, mixing youthful exuberance with plenty of seasoned prowess.
Dončić averaged 32.4 points, 9.6 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game in the 2024 Western Conference Finals, leading the Mavericks to a 4–1 series victory over the Timberwolves. He was named series MVP for his performance which showed his ability to shut down in big moments.
Even though they lost, Edwards’ star continued to rise, as he averaged 26 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists in Game 2 and a 29 point, 10 rebound, 9 assist game in Game 4. But his resilience and scoring ability made the Timberwolves future seem promising.
There was also much more to come between these two players, as Edwards showed more confidence in his game and the way he played, proving there was a lot of rivalry there.
With both teams still evolving, it’s the Edwards-Dončić rivalry that really stands out and as they continue to go back and forth it’s an element that can only get better as the seasons go on.
Final Word
There have been some excellent games between the Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks, great players and a quick rising tension. This rivalry is getting more and more intense and exciting from early matchups to playoff showdowns. The fans will get to see more unforgettable moments as stars like Luka Dončić and Anthony Edwards lead the way. This timeline is backed by verified stats and expert insights and will make for some great watching in seasons to come.
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