Luka Doncic win Western Conference Finals MVP award

With a commanding 124-103 victory in Game 5 on Thursday night, the Dallas Mavericks beat the Minnesota Timberwolves, winning the series 4-1. Luka Doncic, with his tremendous performance throughout the series, was chosen MVP of the Western Conference Finals and awarded the Magic Johnson Trophy.

Luka Doncic led his side to their first finals since 2011 with an average of 32.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 8.4 assists. Throughout the series, he was the pinnacle of consistency and unquestionably the greatest player available. Doncic secured his first NBA Finals appearance with 36 points and 10 rebounds on Thursday night. He scored 20 points alone in the first quarter and never looked back.

According to Athlon Sports, Luka Doncic said, “This trophy is the whole team man, it’s not me,'' Luka said. "This means a lot ... We’re going to the NBA Finals, just can’t believe it.”

Doncic, still just 25, has already established his legacy, but progressing to his first NBA Finals looked like an essential step to begin placing his name in talks with some of the greats. He completes the mission and wins the title, it will be another accomplishment.

Dallas Mavericks reach NBA Finals after 2011

In Dallas Mavericks history, this is the team's third trip to the Finals and its first since 2011, the year the Mavs won their lone NBA title when Jason Kidd, their current coach, was playing point guard. Since Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal in 2001, Dallas' studs were the first pair to score at least 35 points apiece in a conference finals game.

Luka Doncic has emerged as one of the league's top players since the Mavericks picked him in the 2018 NBA Draft. He has yet to win a championship or be named MVP, but he has established himself as one of the NBA's faces. Doncic won the Western Conference Finals MVP award by receiving all nine votes.