Luka Doncic greets 2022 with 51 points against the San Antonio Spurs

SAN ANTONIO — Luka Doncic scored 51 points as the Dallas Mavericks walked away with a 126-125 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night for their sixth straight win.

Christian Wood added 25 points in Dallas’ fifth straight win over San Antonio.

Keldon Johnson had 30 points for Sam Antonio, Jeremy Sochan added 20 and Jakob Poeltl had 19 points and 15 rebounds.

After leading by 17 points, the Mavericks had to fight back in the final minute.

San Antonio guard Tre Jones was fouled by Dallas forward Davis Bertans after Jones intentionally missed the second of two free throws with the Spurs trailing 126-124. Jones then hit the first free throw but missed the second.

Jones finished with 18 points.

Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich jokingly promised Doncic he would stay under 50 points. The Mavericks star almost played along.

Doncic was stuck with 49 points midway through the fourth quarter, but hit two free throws with 4.5 seconds left to reach 50 points for the fourth time in his career.

The point guard had his third 50-point night in his last five games, including 60 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists Tuesday night in an overtime win over the Knicks.

Doncic dominated San Antonio with his usual assortment of midrange jumpers, three-pointers and free throws. He made 18 of 28 field goals.

Doncic had 22 points in the first quarter along with one assist, accounting for all but eight of the Mavericks’ points in the first period.