The realm of NBA history had a new entrant in Luka Doncic after he did something no one was ever able to do before. Despite being a guard, the 23-year-old has put up some monster triple-doubles throughout his career. However, facing off against a relatively hit New York Knicks, Doncic shouldered the pressure in a manner probably no one saw coming. The American Airlines Center witnessed Doncic go off for the first-ever 60-point, 21-rebound, and 10-assist triple-double in NBA history. It’s safe to say, his peers too were left speechless.
Up until nine seconds left in regulation, the Knicks held command over the Dallas Mavericks. Despite missing out on the crucial scoring of RJ Barrett, the Knicks were well in place to extend their win streak on the road. It looked like another Luka Doncic masterclass would end up in a losing effort. However, the entire arena woke up in those final moments.
With a rally that the Knicks simply couldn’t handle, the 2011 champions managed to tie the game. From there on out, ‘Luka Magic’ would handle business by dropping a career-high 60 points in the nail-biting finish. In awe of his history-making night, Kevin Durant and several other NBA superstars gave the three-time All-Star high praise on social media.
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Luka Doncic leaves NBA superstars drooling after a never before seen performance
Doncic tonight showed grit and fight, arguably which Dallas desperately needed to ever believe in overcoming the Knicks. A video game-like display meant Doncic hit his career-high stats. Furthermore, Doncic turned the ball over just three times in the entire game. Perhaps even more shockingly, in an era of three-point shooting, Doncic hit only two threes in his galactic scoring night.
Becoming the first to ever do so, several NBA stars applauded the 23-year-old historic feat. Kevin Durant compared his stats to one out of NBA 2K.
Here are some reactions from NBA stars, current and former:
That was a MyCareer type performance from Luka tonight. Some video game shit
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) December 28, 2022
Luka Magic!!! Goooood Lawd…
— Reggie Miller (@ReggieMillerTNT) December 28, 2022
60/21/10 is INSANE!!!!!!! Luka 🌺
— kuz (@kylekuzma) December 28, 2022
Luka has the 1st 60 20 10 Triple Double in NBA history and I saw it. #BabyBird 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) December 28, 2022
@luka7doncic Im sending u a GOAT to yo farm my boy .. 60.. great team W #MFFL pic.twitter.com/NrSbqlm5FY
— 35 (@Chriswood_5) December 28, 2022
I’ve watched lots of hoops in my lifetime & tonight I witnessed the GREATEST INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE I have ever seen.Yes @luka7doncic had a magical effort with 60 POINTS-20 REBOUNDS & II ASSISTS in a game where each point-reb-assist was needed.@dallasmavs win in ot vs @nyknicks
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) December 28, 2022
I know there are plenty of great arguments for why other players are MVP but I can assure you that nobody is more valuable to a roster than Luka is to The Mavs.
— Jason Gallagher (@jga41agher) December 28, 2022
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Despite breaking a franchise record, perhaps Doncic’s most important score came in the final seconds of regulation time. A play that many fail to execute, Doncic deliberately missed his free throw and scored off the eventual rebound to tie the game with 1 second to go.
Watch This Story: Luka Doncic Surpasses Lakers Legend Magic Johnson; Second Only to Oscar Robertson in Iconic NBA Record
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As he stands alone on the mountain, it is scary to project just how better can the Mavericks prodigy get with him arguably approaching his prime.
Do you think Luka Doncic will win the MVP award this season? Let us know in the comments bellow.