Dallas Mavericks at Minnesota Timberwolves
· NBA Abu Dhabi GamesTimberwolves top Mavericks 111-99 in NBA preseason opener in Abu Dhabi
Luka Garza and Shake Milton each scored 12 points for the Timberwolves, who led by as many as 29 and never trailed.
Luka Doncic scored 25 points in 17 first-half minutes for Dallas, and Jaden Hardy added 13.
Most of the top players from each team didn’t play in the second half, and Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards didn’t play at all. He was held out with an ankle issue.
It was the first of two games that the teams will play in Abu Dhabi, with the rematch on Saturday before the teams return to the U.S.
This trip marks the third time in a year that NBA players have played in Abu Dhabi. The league sent Atlanta and Milwaukee to the United Arab Emirates for a pair of preseason games last season, and a number of NBA players took part in a series of games in the UAE before this summer’s World Cup — with the U.S., Greece and eventual World Cup champion Germany all participating in those exhibitions.
Regular Season Series
MIN wins series 3-1
Recent Plays
| 4th 0.0 |  |
End of Game | 99 - 111 |
| 4th 0.0 | |
End of the 4th Quarter | 99 - 111 |
| 4th 8.0 |  |
A.J. Lawson makes tip shot | 99 - 111 |
| 4th 8.0 | |
A.J. Lawson offensive rebound | 97 - 111 |
| 4th 10.1 | |
A.J. Lawson misses driving layup | 97 - 111 |
Statistics
 DAL |
 MIN |
|
|---|---|---|
| 34-92 | FG | 42-95 |
| 37 | Field Goal % | 44 |
| 14-46 | 3PT | 11-35 |
| 30 | Three Point % | 31 |
| 17-30 | FT | 16-22 |
| 57 | Free Throw % | 73 |
| 42 | Rebounds | 56 |
| 7 | Offensive Rebounds | 11 |
| 35 | Defensive Rebounds | 45 |
| 18 | Assists | 28 |
| 11 | Steals | 7 |
| 8 | Blocks | 12 |
| 13 | Turnovers | 16 |
| 0 | Team Turnovers | 1 |
| 13 | Total Turnovers | 17 |
| 1 | Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 1 | Total Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Flagrant Fouls | 0 |
| 15 | Points Conceded Off Turnovers | 16 |
| 10 | Fast Break Points | 16 |
| 36 | Points in Paint | 60 |
| 25 | Fouls | 20 |
| 0 | Largest Lead | 29 |
Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries
| NAME, POS | STATUS | DATE |
|---|---|---|
| Anthony Edwards, G | Out | Dec 17 |
| Mike Conley, G | Out | Dec 16 |
Dallas Mavericks Injuries
| NAME, POS | STATUS | DATE |
|---|---|---|
| Naji Marshall, F | Day-To-Day | Dec 18 |
| D'Angelo Russell, G | Day-To-Day | Dec 17 |
| Brandon Williams, G | Day-To-Day | Dec 17 |
| Anthony Davis, F | Day-To-Day | Dec 17 |
| Kyrie Irving, G | Out | Dec 13 |
Game Information
Location: Abu Dhabi,
Attendance: 10,732 · Capacity:
2025-26 Southwest Standings
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 San Antonio |
18 | 7 | .720 | - | W3 |
 Houston |
16 | 7 | .696 | 1 | L1 |
 Memphis |
13 | 14 | .481 | 6 | W2 |
 Dallas |
10 | 17 | .370 | 9 | L1 |
 New Orleans |
5 | 22 | .185 | 14 | W2 |
2025-26 Northwest Standings
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Oklahoma City |
24 | 2 | .923 | - | L1 |
 Denver |
19 | 6 | .760 | 4.5 | W5 |
 Minnesota |
17 | 10 | .630 | 7.5 | L1 |
 Utah |
10 | 15 | .400 | 13.5 | W2 |
 Portland |
10 | 16 | .385 | 14 | W1 |
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