Slovenian Luka Doncic led the Dallas Mavericks to an epic 126-121 overtime win over the New York Knicks on Tuesday, with a whopping and unprecedented triple-double of 60 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists.
Doncic, who also forced overtime on a magical play in which he purposely missed a free throw, is the first player in the NBA to record a triple-double with at least 60 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists.
James Harden, current figure of the Philadelphia 76ers, was so far the only one to have made a triple double with 60 points, to which he added 10 rebounds and 11 assists.
Both 61 points and 21 rebounds are NBA bests for Doncic, who at 23 continues to build stats on par with the sport’s great legends.
“I’m exhausted,” Doncic replied when asked how he felt about his success. “I need a recovery beer.”
The point guard, who had already posted 50 points, 8 rebounds and 10 assists on Friday, kept the Mavericks in the game all night and led a stunning last-minute comeback.
The New York team, led by guard Quentin Grimes (33 points), had a nine-point lead (103-112) with just 33.2 seconds to play.
The Mavericks responded with a 3-pointer by Christian Wood and a field goal plus a free throw by Doncic. With just four seconds left, the Slovenian point guard suffered a personal foul with the Mavericks trailing by three points (112-115).
Doncic hit the first free throw, purposely missed the second, and after several failed attempts by the Knicks to grab the rebound, grabbed the ball for an implausible throw that sent the game into overtime amid American Airlines jubilation center.
“I think it was a bit of luck,” Doncic said of that action. “It was just a few seconds away and I just got on (…) It was an incredible comeback and victory.”
The Mavericks took control as overtime began, and Doncic clinched the win with 7 more points before being substituted with eight seconds left before Dallas’ 20,000 fans cheered on their idol.
– Lakers break losing streak –
After four consecutive losses, the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Orlando Magic 129-110 led by LeBron James, who posted 28 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists.
Three days after his 38th birthday, ‘King James’ was close to eighth consecutive game, reaching thirty points.
The Lakers remain in thirteenth place in the Western Conference, with 13 wins and 20 losses, trying to give up as little ground as possible in the fight for the playoffs while waiting for their figure Anthony Davis to return to the slopes, injured in his right foot knee. .
In Washington, the Philadelphia 76ers fell 111-116 to the Wizards to cap off an eight-game hitting streak.
Center Joel Embiid did everything in his power to add another win for Philadelphia with a spectacular career high of 48 points and 9 rebounds.
– The ‘Jays’ dismantle Houston –
In turn, the Boston Celtics defeated the Houston Rockets 126-102 with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown confirming themselves as one of the best couples of the season, combining for 77 points and 12 3-pointers.
Tatum added 38 points and Brown added 39 more in a game in which both teams shot a total of 101 3-pointers (on 34 shots), the most so far this season.
The victory keeps the Celtics ahead in the East (25-10) and sinks the Rockets (10-24) a little more in last place in the West.
The surprise of the day came in Memphis with the defeat of the local Grizzlies 108-125 against the Phoenix Suns who didn’t have their leader, Devin Booker.
– Tuesday results in the NBA:
Orlando Magic-LA Lakers 110-129
Washington Wizards-Philadelphia 76ers 116-111
Boston Celtics-Houston Rockets 126-102
Indiana Pacers-Atlanta Hawks 129-114
Los Angeles Clippers vs Toronto Raptors 113-124
Memphis Grizzlies 108-125 Phoenix Suns
Oklahoma City Thunder-San Antonio Spurs 130-124
Dallas Mavericks – NY Knicks 126-121 (Overtime)
In game:
Golden State Warriors – Charlotte Hornets
Sacramento Kings v Denver Nuggets
