Luka Dončić had struggled in the 2024 Western Conference Playoffs coming into the Western Conference Finals series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Five games later, he’s the MVP of the Western Conference Finals after a dominant series performance that has once again entered him into the conversation as the best player in the NBA.
You’d think that Luka Dončić would cherish his first-ever conference finals MVP trophy. But, he tried to give it away to rookie center and breakout star Dereck Lively II.
First off, Luka truly was dominant in this series. He averaged 32.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game in the series, including a virtuoso 38 points in a dominant Game 5 that he turned into a blowout early on. Along with backcourt mate Kyrie Irving, he was in control of the entire series.
After the game, Luka Dončić tried to hand the trophy off to breakout star Dereck Lively II. Take a look.
Mavericks’ Luka Doncic was ready to give his Magic Johnson WCF MVP trophy to Dereck Lively II pic.twitter.com/gbDZVuB9nw
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver)
Irving obviously would’ve been second choice for MVP, which Luka won unanimously. But, if there was a third choice, it would be Lively. The rookie was sensational, going a perfect 16-16 from the floor in the series while doing a great job of anchoring a much-improved Mavericks defense. The only game the Mavericks lost this series was Game 4, in which Lively sat with a neck sprain.
If they are going to beat the favored Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals, Lively will need to continue to play well alongside Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving.
Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals is next Thursday night in Boston.
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