Mavs’ Luka Doncic breaks triple-double record, shocks NBA

Luka Dončić in 2021 – CC BY-SA

Dallas Mavericks point guard Luka Doncic has broken a record for triple-double stats in an NBA game, attracting positive reactions from the fans, media and fellow players.

Doncic tallied the record-breaking performance when the Mavs battled against the New York Knicks on Tuesday night at American Airlines Arena. He recorded 60 points, grabbed 21 rebounds and tallied 10 assists.

With those outstanding stats, he became the first and only player in NBA history to record 60+ points, 20+ rebounds, and 10+ assists in a game.

The 23-year-old Slovenian is now the youngest player to claim 20+ rebounds in a game, surpassing Wilt Chamberlain, who matched the figure at 26 years of age. Doncic also joined Chamberlain and Los Angeles Lakers legend Elgin Baylor as the third player with that rebound stats.

The Mavs’ owner Mark Cuban liven up the reactions on Twitter about his player’s accolades. He described Doncic’s performance as “greatness.”

“We are watching greatness, I’ve never seen anything like that ever”

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban

Former NBA Hall of Famer Kendrick Perkins also spoke of Doncic’s record-breaking appearance as “one of the greatest individual performances” he ever witnessed.

“I’ve played with a lot of Hall of Famers and seen some all-time great performances… but what I just witnessed from Luka Doncic was one of the greatest individual performances I’ve ever seen in my damn life!!!! Don’t mind me tho and Carry on,” Perkins tweeted.

Another former player and six-time NBA All-Star, Pau Gasol, gave his take on Doncic in one word, saying it was “unreal.”

Recognition from other NBA players

Witnessing Doncic’s historic moment, several NBA players voiced their opinion, praising his stats on the timeline. The Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma described the stats as “insane” numbers.

“60/21/10 is INSANE!!!!!!! Luka,” Kuzma tweeted.

The Atlanta Hawks’ star Trae Young, who was drafted in the same year as Doncic, praised him in a tweet, saying, “Luka just having fun! The game EZ @luka7doncic!”

Other players also praised Doncic on social media, such as Isaiah Thomas, DeMar DeRozan, Robert Griffin III and Kristaps Porzingis.

Doncic brought his record-breaking performance for Dallas’ OT win in this game, 126-121, against the Knicks. He clutched a one-second jump shot after intentionally missing a free throw to force the OT in the fourth quarter.