Luka Doncic scores 73 points in win over Hawks, 4th-most in NBA history

Dallas Mavericks superstar LukaDoncic just entered the NBA record book, accomplishing somethingthat has only been done by three other players in leaguehistory.

On Friday night, on the fourthanniversary of Kobe Bryant’s passing, Doncic channeled his inner‘Mamba Mentality’ to score 73 points, leading the Mavericks to a148-143 road win over the Atlanta Hawks.

Doncic joins Wilt Chamberlain,Bryant and David Thompson as the only players in NBA history toscore at least 73 points in a single game. Chamberlain owns the NBA record with 100points, and Doncic's 73-point performance was the most pointsscored since Bryant's 81-point outing in 2006.

“I was just going, takingwhatever the defense gave me. In the second half, they doubled meall the time, so I tried to make some plays," Doncic said postgame."Sometimes I [attacked] and I would break the double, so justseeing the game.”

Dallas came into the game havinglost three straight, including a 23-point drubbing against rivalDevin Booker and the Phoenix Suns.

“We played great, we playedgreat offense,” Doncic said. "I just wanted to get the win, as wehave been struggling lately.”

The 2024 All-Star starter shotan absurd 75.8% from the floor (25-of-33), made 8 triples and sank15-of-16 free throws. He becomes the first player in NBA history toscore 70+ points while shooting 75% or higher from thefield.

Doncic was brilliant all gamelong, scoring 18, 23, 16 and16 across the four quarters. When the Hawks tried to be physicalwith him, he credited his teammates, Dante Exum and Josh Green, forcoming up big as well.

“It was great, just trust, I always trust myteammates. Making the right play, they’re (Exum and Green) alwaysbig time for us. Just the next man up mentality. Both were greattoday,” Doncic said.

Trae Young, who was traded forDoncic in 2018, had 30 points and 11 assists for the Hawks, whileJalen Johnson added 25 points in the losing effort.