Luka Doncic continued his promotion to the NBA on Sunday, albeit in a lost cause. The Dallas Mavericks phenomenon finished with 36 points, 16 rebounds and 15 assists, passing Michael Jordan on the all-time list with 29 triple-doubles, but lost at home to the Chicago Bulls.
Doncic compiled most of his stats in the first half, but the Mavs still trailed 15 at halftime. He shot just 2 of 11 in the second half. The team was missing six players due to injury or health and safety protocols.
“The stats are spectacular,” Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said of Doncic. I mean, 36, 16 and 15, it’s phenomenal. But without a win, he won’t be happy about it either.
Right now, we are entering the toughest seven days of programming in Mavericks history. Individual statistics are impressive, but we are in the business of trying to win games.
Dallas plays its next three games on the road against the Toronto Raptors, Indiana Pacers and San Antonio Spurs
BOSTON (AP) – Julius Randle scored 20 points with 12 rebounds and RJ Barrett had 19 and 11 on Sunday to help the New York Knicks snap a five-game losing streak and beat the Boston Celtics 105-75.
Jaylen Brown scored 25 for Boston, which had won five in a row but suffered its biggest blowout and lowest-scoring production of the season.
All-Star point guard Kemba Walker made his season debut after missing the first 11 games with a left knee injury, but left in the third quarter after hurting his ribs. His fellow Boston All-Star Jayson Tatum missed his second straight game with COVID-19.
The Knicks held an advantage of up to 11 points in the first quarter and did so 15 in the second before scoring the first 10 points in the third quarter to open a 58-35 lead. The Celtics were never closer to 18 after that.
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