We all knew Luka Doncic was a special player when he came into the NBA. He has put together incredible performances in the playoffs and turned the Mavericks into contenders. There is not much left for Doncic to do besides getting that first title. So what else could he do to boost his resume? Let’s discuss.
60-Point Triple-Double
Something most players lack is a stat line that has never been seen before. A performance that puts them in rare company. Performances like Wilt Chamberlains 100-point game or Kobe Bryants 81-point game are examples. Doncic has scored in the 50-point range but nothing more.
Luka Doncic decided to raise the bar against the Knicks in a big way. Doncic finished with 60 points, 21 rebounds, and ten assists. Doncic set a new career high in scoring and rebounds with that stat line. He also now has the scoring record in a game for the Mavericks.
This is also only the second 60-point triple-double in NBA history, first one being James Harden in 2018. What sets this Doncic apart is that he had 21 rebounds. Not even Wilt Chamberlain accomplished a 60-point, 20-rebound game. Doncic has officially put himself in rare company and proven he can defy the stat book.
Incredible Comeback Led By Luka Doncic
Not only did Luka finish with an insane stat line, he led the Mavericks to a nine-point comeback in the final 35 seconds of the game. Prior to the Mavericks win, teams were 0-13,884 when trailing by nine or more with 35 seconds or fewer remaining. Doncic hit a crazy off-balance jump shot after rebounding the missed throw to tie the game at 115.
The Mavericks would go on to win 126-121 in OT completing an incredible comeback ending a wild losing streak. Doncic also scored seven points in overtime leading the Mavericks. This is one of those performances that you look back on and talk about with your fellow NBA fans.
Luka Versus The Record Book
Doncic is the only NBA player with a 60-point triple-double. However, there is much more that Doncic did in the record books against the Knicks.
- Tied the Dallas Mavericks FGM record (21-33, Mark Aguirre vs. DEN, 3/24/84)
- Set a new American Airlines Center scoring record (57, Steph Curry, 2/6/21)
- Set a new Dallas Mavericks record for 50-point games (3rd of career)
- Became the first Maverick with 50+ points twice in three-game span (50 at HOU, 12/23)
- Became the sixth player in NBA history to record 6-or-more 40-point triple-doubles (Oscar Robertson, Harden, Westbrook, Chamberlain, LeBron James)
- Joined Nikola Jokić (seven) at the top of the 2022-23 triple-double leaderboard
Like I said, Doncic tore up the record book against the Knicks. His 60-point adding has been a huge part of the Mavericks current win streak. Doncic has averaged nearly 42 points, 9.8 assists and 11.8 rebounds in the recent games. This stretch is something that not many players are capable of. Luka Doncic is the real deal and the record book is something he reads in his spare time.
Final Thoughts
Luka Doncic can lead the Mavericks far in the playoffs if he continues his ridiculous stat line. However, that is a long ways away and this will not continue forever. We should appreciate this stat line for how incredible it is and then move on to see what he can do next. A 60-point, 21-rebound triple-double is no easy feat but he did it and broke the Knicks heart in the process. Keep an eye on this Dallas team and where Doncic takes them overall. Luka Doncic is a bonafide superstar and has no intentions of slowing down.
