Dallas Mavs' Luka Doncic Makes NBA History, Ties Boston Celtics Legend Larry Bird on Triple-Double List
Everyone knows that 'dad strength' is a real thing, and if you want an example of it, look no further than Luka Doncic's massive performance in the Dallas Mavericks' near 24-point comeback against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night.
Doncic, who became a 'Girl Dad' on Friday after welcoming his first child into the world, was back on the court 24 hours later and orchestrated an NBA record-breaking 30-0 run in the fourth quarter to give the Mavs a chance. Despite the loss, Doncic finished with 36 points, 15 rebounds, 18 assists, two blocks and two steals while shooting 11-22 from the field and 5-13 from deep.
“That was insane,” Doncic said of the Mavs’ historic fourth-quarter run. “Like I said, we played with great energy. We had guys out and it was a tough game, but we came back and almost won it. Like I said, I’m really sad we couldn't win it but it was a great, great effort.”
If that seems like it could be an NBA record of some kind, it's because it was. Doncic became the first player in league history to record multiple games of at least 35 points, 15 rebounds, 15 assists, two blocks, two steals and five made 3-pointers in a game.
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With the triple-double, Doncic also tied Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird for ninth on the NBA's all-time triple-double list. Doncic has routinely been compared to Bird since making his NBA debut in 2018, so it's fitting that he will soon pass the three-time champion and Hall of Famer in that category.
Although the shorthanded Mavs weren't able to pull off a comeback win on a second night of a back-to-back, Doncic displayed yet another MVP-worthy performance. Through 18 games, Doncic is now averaging 31.4 points – second in the league only to reigning MVP Joel Embiid – 8.4 rebounds and 8.4 assists on 49/39/76 shooting splits.
Although Dallas has lost six of its last nine games, the schedule lightens up a little bit over the next week and a half. The 11-8 Mavs' next four games will be against the Utah Jazz, Portland Trail Blazers, Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Lakers. If Dallas can get healthy, it should be able to stack some wins and feel better about itself by mid-December.
