NBA Christmas Update: Mavs' Luka Doncic Becomes Fastest Active Player to Reach 10K Points
In a season where Luka Doncic has seemingly made some sort of history after every game he's played, he did it again during the Dallas Mavericks' Christmas Day game against the Phoenix Suns on Monday night at Footprint Center.
Going into the game, Doncic needed just 11 points to reach 10,000 for his career after putting up a 39-point triple-double in Dallas' blowout win over the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday. He achieved the historic feat with 4:52 remaining in the first quarter when he nailed a deep 3-pointer to give the Mavs a double-digit lead.
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Doncic is now the fastest active player to reach 10,000 points. Philadelphia 76ers star and reigning MVP Joel Embiid had been the fastest player to reach 10,000 points in 419 career games, but Doncic beat him out by 61 games.
Despite the Mavs having to deal with several injuries that have kept key contributors sidelined for many games – including Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II – Doncic has managed to lead his team to a respectable 17-12 record while averaging 32.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, 9.1 assists and 1.3 steals. He's shooting 48.5 percent overall, including a career-high 38 percent from 3-point range.
If the Mavs can get healthy and rack up some more wins, Doncic could end up being the favorite to win his first league MVP award while also helping his team become more than just a playoff hopeful.
