Luka Doncic Makes NBA History in Warriors-Mavericks

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The Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors are facing off on Sunday night in a game that was added to the NBA schedule. Following Golden State’s elimination from NBA Cup in the quarterfinals against Houston, this game was scheduled at Chase Center between the Warriors and Mavericks.
Any game against Luka Doncic is difficult, but the Mavericks superstar was on another level in the first half of this contest. Despite Golden State making a franchise record 18 threes in the first half, Dallas took an 81-74 lead into the break behind 28 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds from Doncic.

This first half performance from Doncic made history. With 28 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds, the Mavericks superstar joined himself as the only other player to record that line in a half since the NBA began tracking such data in 1996 (via Basketball Reference’s StatHead and Mavericks PR).
The other time Doncic achieved this line in a half came on December 6, 2023 against the Utah Jazz. Doncic achieved a triple-double in the first half of that game, tallying 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists entering halftime.
Luka Dončić finished the first half with 28 pts (9-12 FG, 4-7 3FG, 6-6 FT), 8 rebs and 9 asts.
— Mavs PR (@MavsPR) December 16, 2024
Dončić joins himself (29-10-10 vs. UTA 12/6/23) as the only NBA player to produce at least 28 pts, 8 rebs and 9 ast in a half since play-by-play data was first tracked in 1996-97. pic.twitter.com/9ogQIAni2O
This historic achievement for Doncic is incredible enough, but the fact that he has done it twice now makes it even more impressive. Doncic entered this game averaging 28.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 7.9 assists on the season. He reached those averages in just one half of play against Golden State.
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Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA and WNBA for On SI. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined On SI to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts and in the classroom earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time, primarily serving as a Clippers beat writer.
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