Draymond Green, NBA Fans in Awe of Luka Dončić’s 73 Points as Mavs Beat Young, Hawks
Luka #Luka
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Dallas Mavericks point guard Luka Dončić made NBA history during a 148-143 Friday night victory over Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks.
Dončić recorded 73 points, the most since 2006 and the fourth-highest total in league history, during the win.
He exploded for 41 points in the first half, then added 32 more in the second in one of the most dominant performances of his career.
Only Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant and David Thompson have ever scored more in a single game.
Fans around the league were awed as Dončić shot 76 percent from the field, while going 8-for-13 from behind the arc and 15-of-16 on free throws. He is the first player in NBA history to top 70 points while shooting over 75 percent, per StatMuse.
Dončić’s record-breaking performance coincided with a similarly dominant performance from Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, who put up 62 points against the Indiana Pacers.
The dual 60 balls reminded NBA fans of Monday, when they watched Joel Embiid record 70 points for the Philadelphia 76ers while Karl Anthony Towns put up 62 for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
It was a record-breaking night for Dončić, who recorded the highest point total in Mavericks franchise history as well as the most points ever scored against the Hawks, per Locked on Hawks’ Brad Rowland.
Dončić doesn’t turn 25 until February 28. Only Michael Jordan (52) has recorded more 40-point outings than Dončić (37, after tonight) as a 24-year-old, according to SportsCenter.