Led by Headband Luka’s historic night, Mavericks obliterate undermanned Jazz
Luka #Luka
Donning a thin black headband that matched the Mavericks’ City Edition jerseys, Luka Doncic looked like he’d either come to American Airlines Center for a Duran Duran concert or an ‘80s aerobics class.
He did not, however, appear to sweat all that much while bewildering the undermanned Utah Jazz with a 29-point triple-double . . . in the first half alone.
By the time he exited for good, after the third quarter of Dallas’ 147-97 walkover – that’s not a misprint — Doncic amassed 40 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds. It was the 60th and perhaps easiest triple-double of his 349-game career, moving him past Larry Bird for 9th-most in NBA history.
“It’s pretty amazing,” Doncic said. “We all know who Larry Bird is, so it’s pretty special.”
Mavericks
OK, but what about the headband? Fashion statement?
“I’m getting long hair,” Doncic explained, managing to keep a straight face. “I don’t want to use gel anymore. . . . Just trying something.”
As Doncic piled up the statistics, fans on social media already were calling for Headband Luka to become a permanent look.
“Everybody says it’s the headband,” Doncic said. “I say it’s me.”
Related:Kristaps Porzingis talks Luka Doncic, lack of maturity that led to split with Mavericks
For the 12-8 Mavericks, playing on three days’ rest and facing a Jazz team without leading scorers Lauri Markkanen and Jordan Clarkson proved helpful in breaking a two-game losing streak and a drought of five defeats in seven games.
Wednesday’s margin of victory tied for the third-largest in the Mavericks’ 44-season history, behind only a 53-point win over Philadelphia in 2014 and a 51-point win at the Clippers in 2020.
“I thought the stars set the tone in both halves,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. “I thought everybody who played, played the right way. That was a complete game.”
Tim Hardaway Jr. returned from a two-game absence due to back spasms. Kyrie Irving returned from a one-game absence due to left foot soreness.
Doncic, Irving and Hardaway combined for 36 of Dallas’ 40 first-quarter points.
Doncic’s first half triple-double was historic. According to Elias Sports, since the 1996-97 season, only five players had achieved first-half triple-doubles: Nikola Jokic (twice), Russell Westbrook (twice), Kevin Johnson and Domantas Sabonis.
The difference in Doncic’s case is he’s the first to score 25 or more points while achieving the feat.
Whether it was the headband, the extra rest or the glow of fatherhood, Doncic clearly was having fun, especially during a first quarter in which he contributed 16 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists to a 40-29 Dallas lead.
Doncic’s smile, however, later became a half-angry, half-perplexed frown with 3:30 remaining in the third quarter. Jazz guard Kris Dunn apparently didn’t appreciate something Doncic did or said after he assisted on a Derrick Jones Jr. 3-pointer.
As Doncic walked backward, Dunn pointed into Doncic’s face, practically sticking his index finger up Doncic’s left nostril, before Seth Curry interceded, followed by Derrick Jones Jr.
A double-technical was assessed to Doncic and Dunn.
“I didn’t do nothing,” said Doncic, when asked what caused Dunn to come at him. “A little pushing, but for sure I didn’t deserve a technical foul, because I didn’t do nothing. He puts a finger in my face and I just laughed, so I don’t know how I got a tech.
“But these things just happen in games.”
MarginDateHalftime scoreFinal Score53Nov. 13, 2014at Dallas 73, Philadelphia 29123-7051Dec. 27, 2020Dallas 77, at LA Clippers 27124-7350Dec. 6, 2023at Dallas 74, Utah Jazz 51147-9750April 8, 2022at Dallas 68, Portland Trail Blazers 44128-7850Nov. 14, 2018at Dallas 58, Utah Jazz 46118-6850Jan. 24, 2010Dallas 59, at NY Knicks 43128-78
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