Luka Doncic did something Wilt Chamberlain couldn't even do
Trumping the Dallas Mavericks' improbable 126-121 comeback win against the New York Knicks was the driver of that comeback, Luka Doncic, who managed to record a stat line not even the late Wilt Chamberlain could conjure at his best. 60 points, 21 rebounds, and 10 assists for Doncic. It marks the first 60-point, 20-rebound, and […]
Trumping the Dallas Mavericks' improbable 126-121 comeback win against the New York Knicks was the driver of that comeback, Luka Doncic, who managed to record a stat line not even the late Wilt Chamberlain could conjure at his best.
60 points, 21 rebounds, and 10 assists for Doncic. It marks the first 60-point, 20-rebound, and 10-assist game in NBA history. And Doncic's game matched James Harden's triple-double performance in 2018 for the highest-scoring triple-double ever recorded.
"To do something that's never been done before, that's hard to do," Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. "There's been some great players before him. Elgin Baylor and Wilt, he was in that class, and then he separated himself and made his own class."
Dallas needed every bit of Doncic's 60-point performance. It was he who missed the free throw intentionally, somehow found his way to the loose ball, and managed to score the basket that tied the game.
At first, he thought his shot won the contest. He celebrated in a whacky flapping of his limbs before realizing that Dallas was heading to overtime, not home.
"I thought we won the game," Doncic said. "Then I see it's tied. I didn't know what to do."
But that shot — some would call it lucky — honestly serves as the emotional game-winner. In overtime, Dallas outscored the Knicks 11 to six. And in that overtime, Doncic scored seven of the Mavericks' points.
"This kid doesn't quit," Kidd said. "He doesn't quit. You can see that."
No one can blame the Knicks for appearing disinterested following the Mavericks' nine-point comeback in the final 33 seconds of the game. With no Jalen Brunson and RJ Barrett, New York received a lift from Julius Randle, who scored 29 points, and Quentin Grimes, who poured in 30.
"I promise I was trying for sure," said Grimes, the primary defender on Doncic. "I mean, I'm trying to get over every pick-and-roll. He's in almost every action. It was a lot on me trying to get over every pick-and-roll with him. He's crafty with the ball, without the ball. Have to know where he is at all times on the court. He's one of the top three players in the league for a reason. I have to tip my hat."
Again, history-making was on the side of Doncic.
He's forever immortalized in the rare air that fills the mysticism of the great NBA players of the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. He's done something they couldn't do.
Doncic's extensive greatness is out of necessity. Dallas' roster isn't good enough to win any other way than him being great from night to night. But that is a discussion best saved for another day.
For now, everyone should step back and marvel at what Doncic is doing and did: a new career high in points and rebounds, while also breaking the Mavericks' franchise scoring record and recording a stat line the NBA has never seen before.
As Kevin Durant Tweeted after the game: "That was a My Career type of performance from Luka."
So, go ahead Doncic, take a bow.
"I'm tired as hell," Doncic said on the Mavericks television broadcast. "I need a recovery beer."
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Feature image via Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
