In a season full of career highs and impressive games I think it's fair to say what Luka did last night will go down as his best regular season performance ever.
Written by: Chaim Cohen
28 December 2022
Luka Doncic has been nothing short of magical this season for the Dallas Mavericks. The 23-year-old Slovenian is currently averaging 33.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game and has been instrumental in the Mavericks' success, leading them to a 19-16 record, good for sixth in the Western Conference. Doncic has been a triple-double machine, recording 7 (T-1) so far this season, and has become one of the most dynamic and exciting players in the league.
Last night in Dallas, Doncic put on a show for the ages, recording a historic 60-point triple-double in the Mavericks' 126-121 overtime win over the Knicks. Doncic also grabbed 21 rebounds and dished out 10 assists in a game that was nothing short of spectacular. The 23-year-old Slovenian became the first player in NBA history to have a 60-point, 20-rebound game since Shaquille O'Neal in 2000, and only the second player in NBA history to have a 60-point, 20-rebound game (James Harden being the other).
His performance was even more impressive considering the Mavericks were trailing by nine points with 33 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Doncic scored six of the team's final nine points to tie the game, including the game-tying basket off a free throw that was intentionally missed. He then completed the feat with the game-winning shot with 33.2 seconds remaining in overtime, a remarkable feat of skill and concentration.
The performance generated a ton of ridiculous stats and numbers that deserved some attention. Doncic sits alone in the NBA history books with at least 60 points - which is also a new career-high - 20 rebounds, and 10 assists in a game. He has the most 50-plus-point performances in Mavericks history, with all three coming in 2022. He also notched his seventh triple-double of the season during Tuesday's performance, tying him for first with Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic. At 23 years old, Doncic is the youngest person to record a 60-point triple-double. The Mavericks had 23 points from the 27-second mark in the fourth quarter, and Doncic scored or assisted on 16 of them to lead Dallas to victory. He also moved to a "whole different level" in the view of Dallas Mavericks team-mate Dwight Powell after hitting a historic 60-point triple-double. The Mavericks became the first squad in 13,884 games to break the streak of no team losing a game while leading by at least nine points with 35 or fewer seconds remaining.
The performance was nothing short of remarkable and has been added to his impressive game log this season as Luka is looking to win his first MVP award.
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