The NBA’s Western Conference Finals between the Timberwolves and Mavericks marks the 13th time franchises from Minnesota and Dallas have met in postseason play.
It’s the second meeting between the Wolves and Mavs.
The first was in 2002, when Dallas swept what was then a best-of-five first-round series.
Dirk Nowitzki averaged 33.3 points, 15.7 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 1.3 blocks per game for the Mavericks. Kevin Garnett averaged 24 points, 19.3 rebounds and 5 assists.
Timberwolves vs. Mavericks
2002 Western Conference first round
Dallas wins series 3-0
04-21-2002: Dallas Mavericks 115, Minnesota Timberwolves 102
04-24-2002: Dallas Mavericks 122, Minnesota Timberwolves 110
04-28-2002: Dallas Mavericks 115, Minnesota Timberwolves 102
The Vikings and Cowboys have met in the NFL Playoffs eight times, with Dallas holding a 5-3 advantage in those meetings.
The most remembered of those meetings is an NFC Divisional Game on Dec. 28, 1975, at Metropolitan Stadium.
With the Vikings ahead, 14-10, the Cowboys had the ball with just :32 left at midfield.
On a second down play, Dallas quarterback Roger Staubach caught a a low shotgun snap. He pump faked to his left, drawing safety Paul Krause away from Drew Pearson. Staubach rears back and launches the ball Pearson’s way.
The pass sails almost 60 yards, although Pearson needs to reach back. He reels it in as Wright tumbles. Krause jumps over Wright as Pearson glides into the end zone. Krause points at Pearson, claiming offensive pass interference. Pearson heaves the ball over the scoreboard. The officials rule touchdown, and the extra point makes it 17-14, Dallas.
Minnesota gets penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct and the Cowboys kickoff from the 50. Brent McClanahan runs the ball out to the 15 with :18 left. Ed “Too Tall” Jones tackles Tarkenton near the goal line. Tarkenton starts yelling at multiple officials.
A fan tosses a whiskey bottle at one ref, hitting him squarely in the head. The game is stopped for several minutes before the bloodied official gets up. The Vikings run two more plays, and Dallas wins, 17-10.
The Vikings have won the last two postseason meetings, the last coming in 2009.
Vikings vs. Cowboys
1968
Playoff Bowl: Dallas Cowboys 17, Minnesota Vikings 13
1971
Division: Dallas Cowboys 20, Minnesota Vikings 12
1973
Conference Championship: Minnesota Vikings 27, Dallas Cowboys 10
1975
Division: Dallas Cowboys 17, Minnesota Vikings 14
1977
Conference Championship: Dallas Cowboys 23, Minnesota Vikings 6
1996
Wild Card: Dallas Cowboys 40, Minnesota Vikings 15
1999
Wild Card: Minnesota Vikings 27, Dallas Cowboys 10
2009
Division: Minnesota Vikings 34, Dallas Cowboys 3
For 26 years, the Minnesota North Stars played at Met Center before owner Norm Green moved the team to Dallas following the 1992-93 season, citing a need for considerable improvements at the team’s Met Center or a new building.
Green sold the team three years after the move to Texas.
The Minnesota Wild joined the NHL in the 2000-2001 season, playing its home games at the new Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.
The first postseason meeting between Minnesota’s current team and its former team came in 2016, with Dallas winning in six games. The Stars won in six games again in 2023.
Wild vs. Stars
2016 Western Conference first round
Dallas wins series 4-2
04-14-2016: Dallas Stars 4, Minnesota Wild 0
04-16-2016: Dallas Stars 2, Minnesota Wild 1
04-18-2016: Minnesota Wild 5, Dallas Stars 3
04-20-2016: Dallas Stars 3, Minnesota Wild 2
04-22-2016: Minnesota Wild 5, Dallas Stars 4 (OT)
04-24-2016: Dallas Stars 5, Minnesota Wild 4
2023 Western Conference first round
Dallas wins series 4-2
04-17-2023: Minnesota Wild 3, Dallas Stars 2 (OT)
04-19-2023: Dallas Stars 7, Minnesota Wild 3
04-21-2023: Minnesota Wild 5, Dallas Stars 1
04-23-2023: Dallas Stars 3, Minnesota Wild 2
04-25-2023: Dallas Stars 4, Minnesota Wild 0
04-28-2023: Dallas Stars 4, Minnesota Wild 1
The North American Soccer League operated from 1968 until 1984.
In 1980, the Minnesota Kicks and Dallas Tornado met in a first-round series.
Dallas won the series in two straight games, 1-0 in front of 17,461 at Metropolitan Stadium in Game 1 and 2-0 before only 8,674 fans at Texas Stadium in Game 2.
Kicks vs. Tornado
1980 first round
Dallas wins series 2-0
09-27-1980: Dallas Tornado 1, Minnesota Kicks 0
09-31-1980: Dallas Tornado 2, Minnesota Kicks 0