In exactly 24 hours, the Dallas Mavericks take on the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. Dallas was able to advance to the Western Conference Finals with a Game 6 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Mavs are firing on all cylinders right now.
The Mavs' star duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving is playing at a high level, but the play of Dallas' role players is what really stuck out against the Thunder. P.J. Washington had a massive series, and fellow star defender Derrick Jones Jr. was excellent on both ends of the floor.
Jones Jr.'s desire to always guard the best player and selflessness on offense has carried him a long way all season long, and he had his best stretch as a Maverick in the Thunder series.
Derrick Jones Jr. details 'aggressive' matchup with Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves
Jones Jr. averaged 12.8 points, 0.7 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 47.5 percent from the field and 37 percent from downtown against the Thunder, and his best game was in Game 6. Jones Jr. finished with 22 points while shooting 4-6 from downtown, and without him, the Mavs may not have won the series.
Jones Jr. remains crucial due to his lockdown defense and floor-spacing ability, and he is prepared to tackle the assignment of guarding Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards in the Western Conference Finals.
When asked about guarding Edwards, Jones Jr. complimented his athleticism and shooting and later talked about what he needs to do to slow him down.
"I mean I just gotta pick my spots and be aggressive," Jones Jr. said when talking about his matchup with Edwards. "Be physical, and try to keep him off his spots."
Jones Jr.'s defensive assignment was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the second round, and now he has to guard someone who has been just as good in the playoffs in Edwards. Jones Jr. is known for his fearless mindset, and him slowing down Edwards could make or break Dallas' chances of making the NBA Finals.
For all the latest on Derrick Jones Jr. and the Dallas Mavericks' matchup with Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves, stay tuned.
