In the NBA world, Christmas Day brings not only joy from Santa Claus but also the sensational skills of Slovenian star Luka Doncic. On Monday, Doncic showcased a masterpiece on the basketball court, scoring an impressive 50 points and leading the Dallas Mavericks to a crucial victory over the Phoenix Suns (114-128). In the process, Doncic etched his name into the record books, achieving several personal milestones.
His 50-point feat marked the third-highest scoring performance in NBA history on Christmas Day. Doncic joined the elite company of Rick Barry, who also scored 50 points, only trailing behind Bernard King with 60 points and Wilt Chamberlain with 59 points.
Furthermore, Doncic achieved the remarkable milestone of reaching 10,000 career points in just 358 games. Since Michael Jordan's achievement in 303 games, no other player has reached this milestone as rapidly, solidifying Doncic as the fastest among current players.
Notably, Doncic now stands as the seventh-fastest player in NBA history to reach 10,000 points and the sixth-youngest player to accomplish this remarkable feat.
In addition to his extraordinary statistics, Doncic once again haunted the Suns, who still vividly remember their encounter with the Mavericks during the 2022 Western Conference Semifinals.
Doncic shot an impressive 15 of 28 from the field, including 8 of 16 from beyond the arc. He showcased his perfection from the free-throw line, going 12 for 12. Alongside his scoring prowess, Doncic contributed 6 rebounds, 15 assists, 4 steals, and 3 blocks, completing a stellar all-around performance.
"It was a great road win. They have an incredible team, so I'm really proud of our team," Doncic commented in a post-game interview with ESPN.
Doncic also emphasized that the Dallas Mavericks (18-12 record) still haven't reached their full potential due to the absence of players like Kyrie Irving.
On the Suns' side, despite recent struggles, poor defense, and only three wins in their last 12 games (14-15 overall), Grayson Allen stood out with 32 points.
Despite missing key players such as Bradley Beal, Jusuf Nurkic, Devin Booker, and Kevin Durant, the Suns couldn't match up to Doncic's stellar performance and fell short. Booker finished with 20 points on 6-of-14 shooting along with 10 assists, while Durant contributed 16 points (4 of 11), 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. Collectively, they also accounted for 9 turnovers.
Doncic's Masterful DisplayDoncic started the game with an exceptional display in the first quarter. He effortlessly found Dereck Lively II inside the paint, who made a triumphant return after missing several games. Later, Doncic tormented the Suns with his perimeter shooting, hitting 3 of 4 three-pointers in the opening period.
Doncic's commanding presence on the court reminded Suns fans of their past encounters with the Mavericks' #77. The Slovenian maestro exceeded expectations by scoring 17 points, along with 3 rebounds and 4 assists, in a near-perfect first quarter. It was during this period that he surpassed the 10,000-point mark in his career.
Facing Doncic's dominance, the Suns struggled to find their rhythm and suffered from inconsistent offense and a crumbling defense.
The Mavericks maintained their momentum into the second quarter, fueled by Derrick Jones Jr.'s spectacular dunks. Despite Booker's attempts to revive his team with 9 points, the Mavericks entered halftime with a comfortable lead (54-64), capitalizing on the Suns' poor shooting (37.5% from the field).
By the end of the first half, Doncic had scored 24 points, surpassing the combined scoring efforts of Booker (11) and Durant (9).
The third quarter witnessed Grayson Allen's explosive performance. Just as everyone expected Booker or Durant to ignite the Suns' rally, it was Allen who impressed with 19 points, including 5-of-7 shooting from beyond the arc. Allen also made significant contributions on the defensive end, helping the Suns not only reverse the game but also take a 5-point lead.
Doncic, with his 14 points, fought a lone battle amidst a Mavericks team that lost its composure from the first half. However, with a three-pointer from the Slovenian maestro and another from Jones Jr., Jason Kidd's team kept the game within reach entering the final quarter (92-91).
A brief tense moment occurred in the third quarter when Grant Williams and Booker got involved in a scuffle. Fortunately, the situation was resolved with two technical fouls and without any further issues.
In the last quarter, the Mavericks took control with a 15-4 run, sealed by a crucial three-pointer from Tim Hardaway Jr., leaving the Suns shaken.
The Suns, who displayed courage and rhythm in the third quarter, failed to maintain their momentum in the final moments. The Mavericks showcased a dominant performance, outscoring the Suns by 37-22, and comfortably secured the victory. Doncic's exceptional performance from start to finish played a significant role in the Mavericks' success.