3 Studs, 2 duds from Mavericks' thrilling Game 1 win over Timberwolves

On Wednesday night, the Dallas Mavericks opened up the Western Conference Finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves on the road with a 108-105 thrilling win.

The Mavs were coming off a huge series win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving were superb in that series. Their chemistry continues to grow every game, and they were able to overcome a slow start to the series from Doncic and win in six games.

Dallas' role players were also crucial in the series win against the Thunder, with one of the biggest surprises being the offensive downpour from Derrick Jones Jr. at the end of the series. Jones Jr. finished with 22 points in Game 6, and his floor-spacing ability at the end of the series was elite.

3 Studs, 2 duds from Mavericks' thrilling Game 1 win over Timberwolves

Jones Jr. remains one of Dallas' best defenders, and he brought his usual confidence into the series against the Timberwolves. Before the series started, Jones Jr. gave some insight into how he was going to guard Anthony Edwards with aggressiveness, and Edwards also detailed his matchup with Kyrie Irving.

Both Jones Jr. and Edwards brought confidence into their defensive matchups, and they set the table for an outstanding series. Jones Jr. had a solid game while guarding Edwards, while Irving practically cooked Edwards for most of the game and was outstanding in the win.

Here are three studs and two duds from the Dallas Mavericks' exciting Game 1 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

5. Stud - Kyrie Irving

In their series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving was plagued by slow starts. Irving has always been one to feel the game out early and then turn it on in the second half, but it was a completely different story against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1.

Irving finished with 13 points in the first quarter while shooting 6-9 from the field. He was getting to his spots, getting to the bucket, and leaving his mark on this game early, and it set the tone for the rest of the game.

Irving was unstoppable to start this game and showed why he is one of the most skilled players the game has ever seen. His play in transition and fearlessness attacking the rim was evident, and he made it a priority to get going early and often.

Anthony Edwards' bold statement that he'd be guarding Irving didn't age as well as he may have hoped, and Irving is going to make Edwards work all series long. He finished with 24 points in the first half and showed that he is going to be a force to be reckoned with as he finished with 30 points on the night and hit some clutch free throws to help put the game away.