The Western Conference Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves averaged a 3.4 rating with 6.74 million viewers.

That number is down 18% in ratings from last year's Lakers-Nuggets series.

The Game 5 clincher averaged a 3.2 rating with 6.26 million viewers.

The Celtics-Pacers series averaged a 3.4 rating with 6.31 million viewers.

Luka Doncic was named the Magic Johnson Western Conference finals MVP after the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 4-1 in the series.

“It’s a good feeling, man, I cannot lie,” said Doncic upon receiving the award.

Doncic, who got all nine media votes, averaged 32.4 points in the series.

Doncic entered Thursday averaging 31 points per game in the playoffs, second only to Michael Jordan.

Game 1 between the Mavs and Celtics begins on June 6.

Dereck Lively II was cleared to play in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals after suffering a neck sprain in Game 3.

Lively missed Game 4 due to the injury, but he did not suffer a concussion and sat on the Dallas Mavericks' bench.

The Mavericks enter Game 5 with a 3-1 series lead over the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

Dereck Lively II has been upgraded to questionable for Game 5 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

Lively missed Game 4 due to a neck sprain.

Maxi Kleber also returned to the Mavs lineup in Game 4. 

Dallas Mavericks big man Maxi Kleber is expected to play in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, barring a late setback ahead of the game. Kleber is returning from a separated shoulder that occurred in Game 6 of the first round.

Kleber has been out since that first-round series clincher on May 3. At one point, it looked like Kleber's season might be over. However, the Mavericks said that Kleber's return would be dependent on his recovery and how deep the team's playoff run goes.

Dallas is on the verge of clinching a trip to the 2024 NBA Finals. The Mavericks lead the Timberwolves 3-0 heading into Tuesday's Game 4 in Dallas.

Dereck Lively II was listed as doubtful for Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves due to a sprained neck.

Lively was cleared from having a serious injury and has not entered the league's concussion protocol.

Maxi Kleber, who has not played since the first round due to a separated right shoulder, is questionable for the game. 

The Mavs lead the series 3-0. 

Dallas Mavericks rookie center Dereck Lively II was cleared of having a serious neck injury, after leaving Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals early. Lively's status for Game 4 of the series on Tuesday is unclear at this point.

Lively was injured during a collision with Karl-Anthony Towns in the first half of Game 3. Towns' knee hit Lively in the back of the head, after the rookie center had fallen to the floor.

Lively has been a key member of the Mavericks rotation all season. In 15 playoff games, the Duke product has averaged 8.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 21.5 minutes per game off the Dallas bench.

The Mavericks took a 3-0 series lead over the Timberwolves on Sunday. Dallas has a chance to close out the series at home on Tuesday.

Maxi Kleber could return to the Dallas Mavericks lineup for the NBA Finals, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

Kleber has been out since suffering a separated shoulder during Game 6 of the first round.

The Mavs are currently up 3-0 against the Wolves.

The NBA Finals will start on June 6. 

Host Danny Leroux talks with Jared Dubin of Last Night in Basketball about the playoffs and Fred Katz of The Athletic about the Knicks.

Dubin and Leroux discuss both Conference Finals series and other playoff takeaways. After that, the “Exit Interview” series continues as Katz joins to break down what happened to the Knicks’ season and where they go from here, including Jalen Brunson’s ascendance, their fascinating offseason and much more.

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Game 1 between the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves averaged 7.02 million viewers across TNT and truTV.

That number is down 5% from the Lakers-Nuggets opener from last season.

The game, which peaked at 8.69 million viewers, is the second-largest audience of the playoffs.

Game 1 between the Pacers and Celtics averaged 6.48 million viewers.