Luka Goes Off for 73 Points in Win Over the Hawks
Yesterday was the fourth anniversary of the unfortunate passing of NBA Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, along with seven others. Dallas Mavericks star Luka Dončić tried to make a sad day turn good, as he went off at State Farm Arena, dropping 73 points in a 148-143 win over the Atlanta Hawks. This is the highest scoring game this NBA season, passing Joel Embiid’s 70 points which he scored on Monday. Luka’s 73 points also ties Wilt Chamberlain, and David Thompson for the fourth highest scoring performance in NBA history. It marks the NBA’s 15th 70-point game, and Dončić becomes the 10th player to achieve 70 or more points in one night. Luka passed his career-high of 60 points which he set on December 27th, 2022.
Dončić finished the first half with 41 points which broke Dirk Nowitzki’s franchise record for most points scored in a half. He had 57 at the end of three quarters, then capped off his night with 73 points. Luka went 25 for 33 from the field, eight for 13 from three-point range and made 15 out of 16 free throws. Along with his 73 points Luka Dončić grabbed ten rebounds and dished out seven assists. He became the fifth player in NBA history to score at least 70 points and grab ten or more rebounds. Dončić joins some elite company within that category as Elgin Baylor, David Robinson, Joel Embiid, and Wilt Chamberlain have accomplished this incredible feat. Wilt dropped 70 and ten rebounds six times within his legendary career.
Mavs coach Jason Kidd said this when asked if his game plan changed because Doncic was so hot, "He is the game plan. Some say they are a system; he is the game plan. His ability to make shots, create shots, find open guys, he did that at a high-level tonight. I've said this before, we can't take him for granted. Every night is special. He always does something. Sometimes we are a little bit tough on him because of the wins and losses, but what he does on the court is different than anybody else." Hawks point guard Trae Young said, “He was hot. He was going. We were trying everything. We were trying to trap him.”
