Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Wiggins' huge dunk, effort sparks Dubs to 3-0 lead

Written by 
Published in Basketball
Monday, 23 May 2022 00:33

DALLAS -- As Andrew Wiggins took off from just inside the free throw line, as his body met Luka Doncic's in the air, as his head reached above the cylinder, the Golden State Warriors forward said he saw just one thing: "I just saw rim."

His poster on the Dallas Mavericks star was originally called as a charge, but Warriors coach Steve Kerr swiftly challenged it, and the decision was overturned.

Wiggins doesn't know where that dunk ranks in his collection, but Stephen Curry say it's the best he's ever seen from his teammate. Klay Thompson said he looked like Dominique Wilkinson.

"That was impressive, I'm not going to lie," Doncic said of the poster. "I saw the video again and I was like, ooh. That was pretty incredible. I wish I had those bunnies."

Wiggins had a postseason career-high 3 dunks against the Mavericks on Sunday night as his performance sparked a 109-100 win by the Warriors and gave them a commanding 3-0 lead in the Western Conference finals.

"If you can come in and play good basketball, you can essentially put a team away tonight," Warriors forward Draymond Green said. "Now, this team isn't going to quit ... but you can instill a lot of doubt with coming out and winning this game. And we knew that."

Ask any NBA player and they'll tell you the playoffs are different. The postseason has a different level of intensity and therefore requires a whole different level of play from individuals. Green elevates himself so much, that the term "Playoff Draymond," has been coined for the way he performs.

Before this postseason run, Wiggins hadn't had much experience in the playoffs. But through his 14 playoff games this year, he's proven to have a playoff level of his own.

On Sunday, he finished with 27 points -- 18 of which came in the restricted area -- on 11-of-20 shooting and 11 rebounds.

"That's a guy who has been criticized for being lackadaisical and the beat goes on, you've heard it all, yet, on the biggest stage he's come through," Green said. "It's great to see, absolutely amazing to see him pick up his level of play."

Wiggins started the season playing with this same level of assertiveness and aggression. It's what earned him his first-ever All-Star appearance -- and as a starter, at that. Coming out of the break, he hit a lull. But his teammates say that's normal.

"He's worked so hard to get to this point," Thompson said. "We've just got to help him become a champion, and he will obviously help us. What he did tonight ... that's what we brought him on for. He is such a talented player. I'm so grateful we have him."

Kerr said the Warriors wouldn't be winning playoff games without Wiggins, particularly this series against the Mavericks. In Game 3, Wiggins held Doncic to 8-of-15 shooting. Wiggins has been the best primary defender on Doncic all postseason, holding him to 53% shooting -- Doncic's lowest field goal percentage so far these playoffs.

Heading into this series, the Warriors' mindset for defending Doncic was understanding they probably couldn't completely stop him, but just make sure everything he gets is earned, not given. That, and eliminate every other scoring option.

Doncic has now scored 40 points in two games, and yet Golden State leads the series 3-0. But, they have not started looking ahead to the Finals. The Warriors have been in this position too many times to look too far ahead.

"This team won't lay it down," Thompson said. "We are going to have to go take it. They are not going to give it to us. Just going to have to just play together, play as a unit. Strength in numbers, that's been our mantra."

"That's a guy who has been criticized for being lackadaisical and the beat goes on, you've heard it all, yet, on the biggest stage he's come through. It's great to see, absolutely amazing to see him pick up his level of play."
Draymond Green on Andrew Wiggins

Looking at the odds, the Warriors are now the favorites to win the NBA championship. Ask Thompson and he says he believed that to be true from the moment this season tipped off.

But the same can't be said for everyone else, especially outside of the Warriors locker room. This season was viewed as a building year -- integrating their core of Curry, Thompson and Green with their newfound talent of Jordan Poole, James Wiseman and Jonathan Kuminga.

But then Otto Porter Jr. emerged as their most reliable veteran. Kevon Looney became an iron man. And Wiggins shed his label as a "lazy" player to become an All-Star.

All of that has led the Warriors to find themselves in a position that this franchise -- albeit not all the players -- is very familiar with: one game away from the Finals. But, they won't skip steps.

"Being one win away from the Finals means absolutely nothing," Green said. "It means you have to win one more game and we have to make sure we come in with an even better focus than we did tonight, which was incredible. Closeout games are always the toughest. We have to come out and win the game, they are not going to give it to us."

Read 275 times

Soccer

Arsenal fan banned 3 years for online Partey abuse

Arsenal fan banned 3 years for online Partey abuse

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsA fan who racially abused Arsenal player Thomas Partey in a social...

Mascherano appointed as new Inter Miami coach

Mascherano appointed as new Inter Miami coach

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsInter Miami confirmed the appointment of former Liverpool, Barcelon...

Pulisic, Abraham earn Milan 3rd-straight UCL win

Pulisic, Abraham earn Milan 3rd-straight UCL win

AC Milan earned their third successive Champions League win with a 3-2 victory at Slovan Bratislava...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Sources: Bulls' Ball (wrist) eyes Wed. for return

Sources: Bulls' Ball (wrist) eyes Wed. for return

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsChicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball is targeting his return to action We...

Kings coach Brown fined $35K for pursuing ref

Kings coach Brown fined $35K for pursuing ref

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSacramento Kings coach Mike Brown was fined $35,000 by the NBA on T...

Baseball

Dodgers split $46M from record MLB playoff pool

Dodgers split $46M from record MLB playoff pool

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- A full postseason share for the World Series champion L...

Starter or reliever? Stay with the Phillies or go elsewhere? All-Star Jeff Hoffman opens up on free agency

Starter or reliever? Stay with the Phillies or go elsewhere? All-Star Jeff Hoffman opens up on free agency

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsJeff Hoffman is one of the most sought-after relievers in this offs...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated