Mavs Star Luka Doncic Joins Bernard King, Wilt Chamberlain in Christmas Day Lore with 50-Point Game
DALLAS – The NBA's brightest stars shine even brighter on the biggest stages, and that's what Luka Doncic showed us on Monday, as he put up 50 points, 15 assists, six rebounds, four steals and three steals in the Dallas Mavericks' 128-114 Christmas Day win over the Phoenix Suns.
Not only did Doncic become the fastest active player to reach 10,000 career points, but he also became just the fourth player in league history to score at least 50 points in a Christmas Day game, joining legends Bernard King (60), Wilt Chamberlain (59) and Rick Berry (50).
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
“I think one, congratulations on getting the 10,000 points, that’s pretty cool and pretty fast," Mavs head coach Jason Kidd said of Doncic. "But also, on Christmas, to be in the likes of Bernard King, Wilt (Chamberlain), Rick Barry, to score 50 on Christmas, so it’s pretty cool. And then with a stat line – I think we talked about it offline about his defense and the things that he’s doing – to come up with blocks and steals tonight was big.”
With his 50 points and 15 assists, Doncic created 82 of the Mavs' 128 points, marking the most ever in a Christmas Day game in league history. Averaging 33.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 9.4 assists per game, Doncic is on pace to not only win his first MVP award, but also help the Mavs make a deep playoff push one season after missing the postseason entirely.
