A look at Mavericks’ Western Conference finals history ahead of Timberwolves clash (2024)

The stage is set for the NBA’s Western Conference finals.

Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks will face a Minnesota Timberwolves team led by Anthony Edwards. The Mavs are no strangers to this part of the postseason, making a run to the West finals two years ago.

This is the sixth WCF appearance in the franchise’s 44-season history and the shortest wait between berths.

With all that in mind, how have the Mavs previously fared in this round? Here’s a look back at Dallas’ WCF history:

1988 vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Longtime Mavs fans still get a wistful look thinking about the 1988 team and what might have been.

Besides a talented starting lineup led by scoring machine Mark Aguirre, smooth shooting guard Rolando Blackman, the Mavs featured a deep bench. Aguirre would average 24.7 points and shoot 51.8% in the series.

For six games, the Mavs went toe-to-toe with the Lakers, winning all three games at Reunion Arena, including a dramatic 105-103 victory in Game 6.

It still wasn’t enough against the Laker dynasty with Magic Johnson and James Worthy leading a 117-102 win in Game 7.

2003 vs. San Antonio

The Mavs’ first run to the West finals this century came to an abrupt end in Game 6 against the hated Spurs.

The Mavs led by 13 going into the fourth quarter but were outscored 34-9 in the fourth quarter at American Airlines Center.

Even though the Mavs were minus Dirk Nowitzki (knee) for the third straight game, they were close to forcing a Game 7 in San Antonio.

Then San Antonio turned to little-used veteran point guard Steve Kerr. He knocked down three key 3-pointers in the fourth quarter.

“We were playing so well for so long and the bottom just dropped out,’’ Mavs coach Don Nelson said. “We couldn’t get a shot to go in. We went cold at the wrong time.’’

2006 vs. Phoenix

Luka Doncic wasn’t the first Maverick to match the Phoenix Suns basket for basket.

Before Doncic scored 27 points in the first half of Game 7 to equal the Suns’ total, Dirk Nowitzki was putting in a similar performance in the 2006 Western Conference finals.

With the series tied 2-2 and the Mavs struggling, Nowitzki took over the fourth quarter of Game 5. He scored 15 straight Mavs points en route to 50 points in a 117-101 win. And in that fourth quarter, Nowitzki outscored the Suns 22-20.

The Mavs grabbed a 102-93 win in Game 6 to reach the NBA Finals for the first time. “For the first time in my life, I’m speechless,” owner Mark Cuban told reporters.

The Mavs would go up 2-0 in the Finals before falling to the Miami Heat in six.

2011 vs. Oklahoma City

The series against the Thunder only lasted five games, although it was anything but a blowout against Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Co.

The last three games, all Mavs wins, were by a combined total of 17 points, including a comeback overtime win in Game 4. The Mavs trailed by 15 with less than five minutes to play in regulation before rallying.

Dirk Nowitzki poured in 40 points and 38-year-old point guard Jason Kidd scored 17 to go with seven assists, five rebounds and four steals.

Another late comeback fueled the Mavs to a clinching 100-96 win in Game 5 as Nowitzki scored 24. The Mavs would avenge their 2006 loss in the NBA Finals, downing Miami in six for their first championship.

2022 vs. Golden State

After embarrassing the Suns in Game 7 of the West semis, it appeared the Mavs had momentum on their side against Golden State. Instead, Steph Curry and his championship crew took control of the series from the jump.

The Warriors got out to a 3-0 series lead, kicking things off with a 25-point win in Game 1. The only win Dallas secured in the series was in Game 4, where Doncic had a do-it-all effort with 30 points, 14 rebounds, nine assists, two blocks and two steals.

The playoff run ended at Chase Center, where the Warriors won Game 5 by a 120-110 score. Golden State went on to defeat the Boston Celtics in six games to win the NBA title.

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