Doncic recorded one of the best offensive performances in NBA history the day after the birth of his first child.
Despite missing Friday’s game to attend the birth of his first child, Gabriela, Dallas Mavericks player Luka Doncic rode the good vibes to one of the best statistical performances in NBA history. Doncic became just the second player in history to record 36 points, 18 assists, and 15 rebounds in a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night. The other player is Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson.
Furthermore, Doncic wasn’t receiving pointless buckets in a blowout. Midway through the fourth quarter, the Mavericks were down 24 points, but he played a key role in leading them to an amazing 30-0 run—the longest in the team’s history. Unfortunately, Dallas lost to them 126–120.
Doncic also made NBA history by being the first player to ever finish a game with at least 35 points, 15 rebounds, 15 assists, two blocks, two steals, and five 3-pointers. And he did it while donning sneakers with the name of his recently born daughter.
The final two minutes of the Mavericks’ 30-0 run ended without a point as the Thunder forcefully pinned Doncic to keep the ball out of his hands. OKC ended the game on a 10-0 run thanks to two mistakes by Doncic and five missed jumpers by Derrick Jones Jr., A.J. Lawson, and Seth Curry.
Doncic, who is averaging 31 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, and 39% three-point shooting, is having a season worthy of an MVP. The Mavericks are now 11-8 after the setback; in their prior ten games, they had gone 4-6.