Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic entered Monday’s game against the Detroit Pistons having already posted three 50-point games on the season.
That included an historic 60-point triple-double against the New York Knicks in late December.
Continuing what has been an absolutely brilliant season for the NBA All-Star Game starter, the Pistons had absolutely no answer for Doncic.
This dude dropped 24 first-quarter points, including 18 of the Mavericks’ first 20 points. He was on an absolute roll early.
Quick 2️⃣4️⃣ points for LD in the first quarter @luka7doncic // #MFFL pic.twitter.com/53AHEAoyKZ
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) January 31, 2023
With Detroit keeping this one close throughout, Doncic was asked to play hero ball. Like we’ve seen all season, he did not step down from the challenge.
Instead, the generational star scored 10 points within the final four minutes of the game to drop another 50-burger with a resounding 53 points.
Luka Doncic 53 pic.twitter.com/ORiKb5X4VE
— That's a highlight (@ClipIt_NBA) January 31, 2023
How good was Luka Doncic throughout the evening? He shot 17-of-24 from the field, including 5-of-11 from 3-point range.
The 23-year-old generational talent also added seven rebounds and five assists or good measure in the narrow win. As we said, he was absolutely on one.
At the end of the game, Doncic had words for the Pistons’ bench as he hit that 50-point plateau.
“They didn’t like when I chirped back… if they’re gonna chirp at me, I’m gonna chirp back. I ain’t scared,” said Doncic after the game.
Apparently, Detroit succeeded in waking Doncic up. That’s probably not the best of ideas at this rate.
With this performance, Doncic has matched Michael Jordan (twice), James Harden, and Russell Westbrook for the most 50-point games in one season over the past 62 years. There’s still a whole heck of a lot more to go in this season, too.
As you can see, Doncic entered Monday’s game as one of the top scorers in the game. He’s also averaging a near triple-double on the season.
What makes Monday’s performance so eye-opening is the fact that Doncic missed Dallas’ previous game with an ankle injury. It doesn’t seem like he missed a beat. At all.
Mavs star Luka Doncic is the 4th different player in the last 50 years with four 50-point games prior to February (Jordan in 1988-1989, Kobe in 2005-06, Harden x3). Luka's 5 50-point games are more than the rest of the Mavs had in their history combined (4). @ESPNStatsInfo pic.twitter.com/zkRiCqlixH
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) January 31, 2023
Luka Doncic is breaking his own records. #MFFL | @dallasmavs on @BallySportsSW pic.twitter.com/YR9zQhP3nV
— Bally Sports Southwest (@BallySportsSW) January 31, 2023
Luka Dončić finishes with 53 in Dallas' narrow home win over Detroit … giving him a league-leading four games this season with at least 50 and tying last season's 19 50-point games for the entire NBA with more than a third of the regular season remaining. https://t.co/TS6abdeew4
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 31, 2023
LUKA DONCIC IS LITERALLY A MAGICIAN. pic.twitter.com/DVaxxEElX1
— Emmanuel John (@Emmanue17456803) January 31, 2023
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