It came down to one final possession — and one missed three-pointer — as the Minnesota Timberwolves escaped the Dallas Mavericks with a 115-114 win on January 22, 2025, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. The game wasn’t just close; it was electric. With 0.8 seconds left and the score tied, Jaden McDaniels stripped the ball from Kyrie Irving, leading to a fast-break layup by Anthony Edwards that sealed the victory. No timeout. No reset. Just pure, unscripted basketball drama.
A Game of Momentum Swings
The scoring by quarter told the story: Minnesota (17, 38, 31, 29) vs. Dallas (22, 31, 29, 32). The Mavericks started hot, outscoring the Wolves 22-17 in the first, but Minnesota’s second quarter was a masterpiece — 38 points on crisp ball movement and relentless defense. By halftime, they led by 10. Dallas clawed back in the third, then exploded for 32 in the fourth, led by Kyrie Irving, who dropped 38 points, 9 assists, and 4 rebounds — his most explosive performance since returning from injury. But for all his brilliance, Irving’s final shot from the left wing — a step-back three with 1.2 seconds left — clanged off the rim. The ball bounced toward the sideline, and the Wolves’ bench erupted.
McDaniels, the quiet 24-year-old forward, was the unsung hero. His 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 steals weren’t just stats; they were a statement. He guarded Luka Dončić for stretches in the fourth, forcing two turnovers and blocking a potential game-tying dunk. Edwards added 21 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds, but it was McDaniels’ defensive tenacity that shifted the tide.
Both Teams Tied at 23-21 — A Race for Playoffs
With the win, Minnesota improved to 23-21, matching Dallas’s record. That’s not a coincidence — both teams are fighting for the final playoff spots in the Western Conference. The Wolves are now one game behind the 24-20 Sacramento Kings for the 8th seed, while Dallas sits tied with the Portland Trail Blazers and just ahead of the New Orleans Pelicans. The margin for error? Slim. One bad week, and both could fall out of contention.
The Mavericks’ next game was Thursday, January 23, 2025, against the Oklahoma City Thunder — a team that’s been surging since the All-Star break. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, had two days to rest before hosting the Denver Nuggets on January 25. That’s a dangerous matchup: Nikola Jokić is averaging 26-11-8 since January 1, and Denver’s offense runs through him like a well-oiled machine.
Christmas Day? Not This Year
Here’s the twist: despite the hype around this rivalry — and the fact that both teams are playing well — the 2025 NBA Christmas Day schedule doesn’t include Minnesota vs. Dallas. Instead, the league’s marquee holiday slate features the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. the San Antonio Spurs at noon ET, and the Los Angeles Lakers hosting Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets in primetime. LeBron James, now 40, will be on the court again, trying to outshine his old rival.
It’s a curious omission. The Timberwolves-Mavericks matchup had all the ingredients: star power, playoff implications, and a recent history of close games — including a 120-96 Wolves win in November 2025 and a 105-99 win in Dallas earlier this season. But the NBA’s Christmas Day picks are about legacy, nostalgia, and TV ratings. They want LeBron vs. Durant. They want Lakers vs. Warriors. They want history.
And history matters. The NBA Christmas Day games have been a tradition since 1947. Bernard King’s 60-point explosion in 1984. Wilt Chamberlain’s 59 points and 36 rebounds in 1961. And last year, Austin Reaves’ buzzer-beater against Golden State — the same game where LeBron, exhausted but smiling, told reporters: “I love the NFL, but Christmas is our day.”
What’s Next for Both Teams?
Minnesota’s path to the playoffs hinges on two things: staying healthy and winning close games. They’re 10-4 in games decided by 5 points or fewer this season — the best such record in the West. But their bench depth remains a concern. They’ve started the same five players in 18 of their last 20 games. Fatigue could catch up.
Dallas, meanwhile, is still figuring out how to win without Luka Dončić dominating every possession. Irving is carrying the offense, but his minutes are climbing — he played 41 against Minnesota. If he gets hurt, the Mavericks’ season could unravel. They’re 2-5 in games where Irving scores under 30.
And while the Christmas Day snub stings, both teams know the real stage is the playoffs. The Wolves have never won a conference finals. The Mavericks haven’t won a title since 2011. This season isn’t about holiday games. It’s about legacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why wasn’t Timberwolves vs. Mavericks on Christmas Day?
The NBA prioritizes marquee matchups with national appeal for Christmas Day. While Minnesota and Dallas have had close games, the league chose LeBron James vs. Kevin Durant and the Thunder vs. Spurs — teams with stronger national followings, star power, and historical rivalries. The Timberwolves, despite their recent success, still lack the broad TV draw of Lakers or Thunder.
How does Jaden McDaniels’ performance compare to past Wolves stars?
McDaniels’ 27-point, 8-rebound, 4-steal game against Dallas was his best of the season and ranks among the top all-around performances by a Wolves forward since Kevin Garnett’s prime. His defensive impact — particularly against elite guards — has drawn comparisons to Scott Skiles and even Garnett’s early-career versatility. He’s becoming the glue guy Minnesota needs to elevate beyond just Edwards and Jaden.
What’s the significance of the 23-21 record for both teams?
At 23-21, both teams are clinging to the final playoff spots in the West, where the gap between 8th and 10th is just one game. With 38 games left, every win matters. The Wolves have a tougher remaining schedule, including four games against top-5 teams. Dallas has easier matchups but less depth. Whoever holds the tiebreaker — likely the head-to-head record — will have the edge.
Has Kyrie Irving ever had a bigger game against Minnesota?
Irving’s 38-point outing in January 2025 was his highest against the Timberwolves since 2019, when he scored 41 in a win for the Nets. But this one was more consequential — it came in a loss, and he had to carry Dallas down the stretch with Dončić sidelined. He’s now 8-1 against Minnesota since joining the Mavericks, but only once has he won while scoring under 30.
What’s the history of Christmas Day games between these two teams?
The Timberwolves and Mavericks have never met on Christmas Day since the Wolves’ inception in 1989. The Mavericks played on Christmas twice in the 2000s, but never against Minnesota. The Wolves have appeared on Christmas only three times — all in the early 2000s — and lost all three. Their absence from the 2025 slate continues a pattern: the league rarely picks them for holidays unless they’re in the playoffs.
How does this win affect Minnesota’s playoff chances?
This win was critical. Minnesota is now 10-4 in one-possession games — the best in the league. They’ve beaten every top-8 Western team this season except the Nuggets and Suns. With Denver on the horizon, a win there would push them into the top 6. But they need more consistent scoring from their bench. If Edwards and McDaniels keep elevating, they could sneak into the 6th seed — and that’s when the real pressure begins.