Luka Doncic’s Historic 60-21-10 Night Draws Praise from More Than Just Mavs

Mavericks star Luka Doncic didn’t just finish Wednesday’s overtime home win over the Knicks with 60 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists.

He was also part of history in helping the Mavs overcome a nine-point deficit with 35 seconds left in the game.

Doncic intentionally missed the second free throw, grabbed the loose ball after it caromed off the rim, then flipped it in the hoop with one second remaining to send the game into OT. 

“I thought we won the game,” Doncic said, via Tim MacMahon of ESPN. “Then I see it’s tied. I was like, ‘Oof.’ I didn’t know what to do.”

His historic night broke the franchise record for points in a game, previously held by Dirk Nowitzki.

Along with that, his 20 rebounds joined him with Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor as the only players in NBA history to grab at least 20 rebounds during a 50-point triple-double.

Luka Doncic is the only player in NBA history to ever record 60+ PTS, 20+ REB, and 10+ AST in a game. pic.twitter.com/0Io2BVx9Rq

— NBA History (@NBAHistory) December 28, 2022

Basically, Doncic has become the sort of must-see TV that’s usually reserved for the likes of LeBron James and Steph Curry.

“There’s been some great players before him,” Mavs coach Jason Kidd told reporters. “Elgin Baylor and Wilt, he was in that class, and then he separated himself and made his own class.”

pic.twitter.com/S7vyzjj0o5

— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) December 28, 2022

Doncic’s teammates offered high praise, as did other players throughout the NBA, from Hawks guard Trae Young to Bulls center Andre Drummond to former Lakers and Grizzlies big man Pau Gasol.

“Guys say all the time that we see it and we know his greatness, but he’s showing up on a whole different level in a whole lot of different ways,” Mavs center Dwight Powell said. “This tonight, there’s not really any way to accurately describe that. It’s hard to believe — 77 is different.”

I’ve played with a lot Hall of Famers and seen some all time great performances… but what I just witnessed from Luka Doncic was one of the greatest individual performances I’ve ever seen in my damn life!!!! Don’t mind me tho and Carry on…

— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) December 28, 2022