Andrew Wiggins Praised for Dunk on Luka Doncic, 'MVP' Play as Warriors Beat Mavericks

Scott Polacek @@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist IVMay 23, 2022

DALLAS, TX - MAY 22: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Golden State Warriors dunks the ball against the Dallas Mavericks during Game 3 of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals on May 22, 2022 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Cooper Neill/NBAE via Getty Images)

Cooper Neill/NBAE via Getty Images

Stephen Curry is an all-time great, Luka Doncic is on the short list of the best current players in the league, and Draymond Green and Klay Thompson could be on their way to the Hall of Fame.

But Andrew Wiggins stole the show in Sunday's Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.

The Golden State Warriors forward finished with 27 points, 11 rebounds (six offensive), three assists and one jaw-dropping dunk over Doncic while helping lead his team to a 109-100 victory and commanding 3-0 series lead.

While the dunk that was initially called an offensive foul and then ruled legal after review caught the most attention, others also praised Wiggins' overall game:

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
ANDREW WIGGINS POSTER ON LUKA 🤯 <a href="https://t.co/EMwNh6mnEY">pic.twitter.com/EMwNh6mnEY</a>

Dave DuFour @DaveDuFourNBA
Andrew Wiggins has definitely been the MVP of this series.

Kendrick Perkins @KendrickPerkins
That’s the same thing Blake Griffin did to me!!! That’s a BUCKET and a NFT. Carry the hell on…

Jeremy Lin @JLin7
People will talk about the Splash Brothers. People will talk about Jordan Poole's emergence. People should also talk about Andrew Wiggins. <br><br>A completely overqualified 4th option who quietly changes games and gives GSW a whole other dimension <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GSWvsMAVS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GSWvsMAVS</a>

David Gardner @byDavidGardner
This is the Andrew Wiggins we were promised in 2013

James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Dunk aside, I think Wiggins proved this entire season and postseason that we should talk about him with more than just jokes.

Connor Letourneau @Con_Chron
Look, you're right, you're right. It's Steph. But the fact that Andrew Wiggins has been this consistent on both ends has been huge. <a href="https://t.co/sGN560fiI9">https://t.co/sGN560fiI9</a>

Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
So impressed by Andrew Wiggins in these playoffs. Bought into his role and became a perfect compliment to Steph/Klay/Poole. Cut his shot attempts and upped his rebounding in the postseason. Playing his ass off on defense. Role players around the league should take notice.

Mina Kimes @minakimes
THE WIGGAINSSANCE

Dave McMenamin @mcten
Air Canada makes direct flights to Dallas, apparently. Andrew Wiggins, jeez.

Zach LaVine @ZachLaVine
😳😳😳….. damn wiggs

🏁 Jamal Crawford @JCrossover
Offensive foul or not… Dunk of the year!

Jamal Murray @BeMore27
Andrew WUTTTT????

Dan Favale @danfavale
not sure i’ve ever seen andrew wiggins play with this much force over such a long stretch of time

The No. 1 overall pick of the 2014 draft has thrived in this series while playing strong defense, battling on the glass on both ends and taking advantage of the spacing created by playing alongside Curry, Thompson, Jordan Poole and Green.

His play was even more important in Game 3 after Otto Porter Jr. was ruled out with left foot soreness, especially since Gary Payton II and Andre Iguodala were already sidelined.

The stars had their moments as well.

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Curry dazzled on his way to a double-double of 31 points and 11 assists while turning around when the ball was still in the air on one three and then shimmying after another.

Doncic did what he could to keep the Mavericks in the game with 40 points and 11 boards, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Curry and Wiggins one-two punch.

Wiggins and the Warriors will attempt to finish the sweep in Tuesday's Game 4. And Wiggins may be the front-runner for the first Western Conference Finals MVP and the Magic Johnson Trophy.