Luka Dončić Exits Early as Timberwolves Stun Mavericks on Christmas Day
- Sami El-Amin
- 18 November 2025
- 0 Comments
When Luka Dončić walked off the court at the American Airlines Center with 2:17 left in the second quarter of the Christmas Day game, the crowd fell silent. The Dallas Mavericks were down 24-42. The Minnesota Timberwolves weren’t just winning—they were dominating. And when the final buzzer sounded, the scoreboard read 105-99, marking the Timberwolves’ first Christmas Day victory since 2017 and the Mavericks’ first loss of the 2024-2025 season. Dončić, the 25-year-old Slovenian superstar who lit up the holiday stage with 50 points and 15 assists just a year earlier, didn’t return. The reason? A combination of foul trouble, fatigue, and what sources later described as a "strategic pull" by the coaching staff. But the damage was done. The Mavericks, who entered the game 11-0, were suddenly 11-1. And the Timberwolves? They were tied for first in the West.
Christmas Day Drama: A Contrast in Performances
It was supposed to be Luka’s night. Last year, he turned Christmas into his personal highlight reel: 50 points, 15 assists, 11 rebounds—shattering records and silencing critics who said he couldn’t deliver on the biggest stage. This year? He had 18 points and 6 assists in just 21 minutes. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, were surgical. Anthony Edwards, the 23-year-old Minnesota shooting guard, exploded for 26 points, hitting clutch threes and attacking the rim with a ferocity that left Dallas’ defense scrambling. The Timberwolves’ offense didn’t rely on one player—it moved. They scored 33 points in the third quarter alone, turning a 18-point halftime lead into a 22-point advantage by the end of the period.The quarter-by-quarter breakdown tells the story: Minnesota 26, 31, 33, 15. Dallas 24, 16, 28, 31. The Mavericks’ fourth-quarter surge was too little, too late. They outscored Minnesota 31-15 in the final frame, but the deficit was too deep. And the numbers don’t lie—Dallas shot just 39% from the field, while Minnesota hit 51%. The difference? Ball movement. The Timberwolves had 28 assists to Dallas’ 19. They made the extra pass. They didn’t force shots. And they didn’t let Dončić dictate the pace.
From Holiday Heartbreak to Playoff Redemption
The loss was more than just a blemish on an undefeated record. It was a wake-up call. The Mavericks had spent the first 11 games of the season coasting on momentum, assuming their talent would carry them through. But the Timberwolves—coached by Chris Finch and led by Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns—showed what a disciplined, defensive-minded team could do against a high-powered offense. The game exposed Dallas’ reliance on Dončić. When he was off, or sidelined, the offense stalled. The bench? Only 18 points combined. Minnesota’s reserves added 34.
But here’s the twist: this loss became the catalyst. The Mavericks didn’t panic. They tightened their defense. They improved their spacing. And when they met the Timberwolves again in the 2025 Western Conference First Round playoffs, the script flipped. Dončić averaged 30.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.8 assists across five games. In Game 2, he dropped 31 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists—despite a YouTube highlight video that confusingly mixed in footage of LeBron James and Austin Reaves. The Mavericks won the series 4-1. The narrative shifted from Christmas disappointment to playoff mastery.
Why This Game Mattered Beyond the Box Score
The Timberwolves, founded in 1989, had never won an NBA title. Their only previous Christmas Day win came in 2017, when they beat the Spurs. Seven years of holiday heartbreak ended on December 25, 2024. For the Mavericks, who won their lone championship in 2011, this loss was a reminder that even superstars need help. Dončić, who signed a five-year, $207 million extension in 2021, is one of the league’s most efficient scorers—but he’s not a one-man team. The Timberwolves proved that.
The final standings told the tale: Minnesota finished 56-26, third in the West. Dallas, 52-30, fifth. The regular season loss didn’t define either team—it set up the playoff showdown. And in the end, Dallas found a way to win when it mattered most. But Christmas Day? That belonged to Minnesota.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
The Timberwolves are now seen as legitimate contenders. Edwards is emerging as a top-10 player. Towns, despite injury concerns, remains a dual threat inside and out. The team’s depth—led by Mike Conley and Jaden McDaniels—gives them flexibility. Dallas, meanwhile, will look to build around Dončić’s brilliance, but they can’t afford another Christmas-style collapse. The 2025-2026 season will test whether they’ve learned from this loss.
One thing’s certain: Christmas Day games aren’t just about tradition—they’re about legacy. Dončić still owns the holiday record books. But on this day, Minnesota wrote its own chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Luka Dončić leave the game early on Christmas Day 2024?
Dončić exited with 2:17 left in the second quarter after picking up his fourth foul while the Mavericks trailed 24-42. While no official injury was reported, sources suggest the coaching staff pulled him to preserve his energy and avoid further foul trouble. Dallas was already struggling offensively, and his absence exposed their lack of playmaking depth.
How did Anthony Edwards perform in the Timberwolves’ Christmas Day win?
Anthony Edwards scored 26 points on 10-of-21 shooting, adding 5 rebounds and 4 assists. He was particularly effective in the third quarter, scoring 11 points to help extend Minnesota’s lead. His ability to attack the basket and draw fouls kept Dallas’ defense off-balance, and he hit three crucial three-pointers in the second half to seal the game.
Did the Timberwolves’ Christmas Day win impact their playoff seeding?
Not directly, but it signaled their legitimacy. The win improved their record to 1-0 and tied them for first in the Western Conference. They finished the season 56-26, securing the third seed, while Dallas, despite the loss, finished fifth at 52-30. The victory gave Minnesota momentum and confidence heading into the playoffs, where they’d later face Dallas in a hard-fought series.
How did Luka Dončić respond in the 2025 playoffs against the Timberwolves?
Dončić responded with a dominant performance, averaging 30.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.8 assists across the five-game series. In Game 2, he recorded 31 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists. Dallas won the series 4-1, proving they could overcome their Christmas Day loss by tightening defense, improving ball movement, and reducing reliance on Dončić to carry the entire offense.
What’s the historical significance of this Christmas Day game for the Timberwolves?
It was Minnesota’s first Christmas Day win since 2017, ending a seven-year drought in high-profile holiday matchups. Since joining the NBA in 1989, the Timberwolves had never won a Christmas game on the road and had only two total holiday victories in franchise history. This win, against a top Western Conference contender, marked a turning point in their reputation as a rising power—not just a team with talent, but one that could win under pressure.
Why was there confusion in a YouTube video about Dončić’s playoff highlights?
The video titled "Luka Doncic Full Highlights vs Timberwolves (2025 Playoffs Round 1 Game 2)" mistakenly included clips of LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, and Austin Reaves—players from the Los Angeles Lakers. This was likely an editing error by a content creator who reused footage from unrelated games. The actual matchup featured only Mavericks and Timberwolves players, with no Lakers involvement.
