With 73 points, Luka Doncic tied the record for the fourth-highest scoring effort in NBA history as the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Atlanta Hawks.
The 24-year-old Slovenian defeated the New York Knicks in 2022 to break the Mavericks record score of 60.
In the 77 years of the NBA, only two players have scored more: Kobe Bryant (78) and the great Wilt Chamberlain (100 and 78).
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“It was so thrilling. Occasionally, I found it hard to believe it “Doncic remarked following the Mavericks’ 148-143 triumph.
Doncic finished with seven assists and ten rebounds. He converted 15 of his 16 free throws and connected on 25 of his 33 field goals, including eight three-pointers.
In 1962, Chamberlain achieved two scores of 73, while David Thompson attained the same mark in 1978.
On Monday, Joel Embiid broke the franchise record held by the Philadelphia 76ers, and Doncic became the tenth player in NBA history to score at least 70 points in a game.
Since legendary Los Angeles Lakers player Kobe Bryant scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors in 2006, this is the highest score.
In a 1962 game between the Philadelphia Warriors and the New York Knicks, Chamberlain scored a century.
The game fell on the fourth anniversary of Bryant’s death in a helicopter crash, and Doncic rated the performance as “probably at the top” of his career.
“We all cherished Kobe. Being in that discourse with those names feels special,” Doncic continued.
Doncic’s performance ended a three-game losing streak for his team, and Mavericks coach Jason Kidd praised it as a “special” effort.
Kidd stated: “He performed at a high level tonight in terms of his ability to create shots, make shots, and locate open players.” As I’ve said previously, we must not undervalue him.
Because of his victories and defeats, we can be a little harsh on him at times, but his play on the court sets him apart from the rest.
“Each evening is unique. He takes action every time.
