Luka Doncic has one of the most incredible starts to an NBA career of all time.
He was involved in one of the most shocking trades in NBA history, as the Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to the LA Lakers. But what the Slovenian had achieved to start his career is what made the trade so momentous.
Luka Doncic led the Mavericks to the 2024 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, and broke a plethora of records along the way during his seven-year NBA career. He’s on track to become one of the NBA’s all-time greats.
Here, we look at five of his greatest moments so far…
Photo by David Berding/Getty Images5. 50 points and 15 assists on Christmas Day
Doncic became only the fourth player in NBA history to score 50 points on Christmas Day. He joined Bernard King, Wilt Chamberlain, and Rick Barry as the only players to have accomplished this.
It was the sixth 50-point performance of Doncic’s career, trailing only Michael Jordan and LeBron James for the most by any player before turning 25 years old since the ABA-NBA merger.
50-point and 20-rebound triple-doubles in NBA HistoryYearPlayerStat line2022Luka Doncic60–21-101968Wilt Chamberlain53-32-141963Wilt Chamberlain51-29-111961Elgin Baylor52-25-10
With his performance, he surpassed 10,000 career points, becoming the sixth-youngest player in NBA history to the milestone.
Going 15-25 from the field and 8-16 from three, Doncic led Dallas to a 128-114 win over Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns.
4. 60 points, 21 rebounds, 10 assists vs New York Knicks including incredible comeback
Doncic became the only player in NBA history with a 60-20-10 triple-double against the New York Knicks. He broke Dirk Nowitzki’s franchise record for points in a game.
To cap it all off, Doncic and the Mavericks pulled off an insane nine point comeback in the final minute of regulation, forcing overtime with a buzzer-beater from his own missed free throw.
Doncic breathed life into the Mavs with an and-one putback with 15 seconds remaining, which cut the game to one score. He then went to the line with two seconds left, and down two, missed the free throw intentionally, scrambled for the rebound, and chucked up the game-tying shot.
In the frenzy following Doncic’s shot, his reaction was a mix of panic and celebration as the Mavs lined up on defence. They went on to win 126-121.
3. Game winner vs Los Angeles Clippers
In the bubble, Doncic produced a playoff masterpiece. He recorded a 43-point, 17-rebound, and 13-assist game, hitting a buzzer-beating step-back three to win the game, and effectively saved the Mavericks’ season against the Los Angeles Clippers.
He sprained his ankle 40 hours before, and had to prove he was ready to go to the Dallas medical staff on gameday.
21-year-old Doncic led the Mavs to their biggest ever postseason comeback. They were down 21 at halftime and at risk of falling down 3-1 in the series to the Clippers. The Slovenian superstar became the youngest player in NBA history to record a 40-point triple-double in the playoffs.
One of Michael Jordan’s greatest ever moments, “The Shot” against the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1989, was the only other time a player had a 40-point game and a game-saving winning shot in the playoffs.
“That was something special, one of the best feelings I ever had as a player,” said Doncic after the game.
2. 73 points vs Atlanta Hawks
It seems insane to put a 70-point night second on the list, but that’s a testament to the long list of legendary moments Doncic has produced. His 73-10-7 against the Atlanta Hawks made him the first player to score 70+ on 75% or higher from the field.
Dallas needed every one of those points in a 148-143 victory. Doncic tied Wilt Chamberlain and David Thompson for the fourth-highest points total in NBA history. Doncic’s performance included 41 points at halftime, breaking Nowitzki’s franchise record for points in a half.
HISTORIC 73-POINT NIGHT FROM LUKA DONCIC 🤯
🔥 73 PTS
🔥 25/33 FGM (75.8%)
🔥 15/16 FTM
🔥 8 3PM
He becomes the 4th player in NBA history to score 73+ points and the first ever to score 70+ on 75% or higher from the field. pic.twitter.com/Afm9cyJung
— NBA (@NBA) January 27, 2024
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When asked where it ranks among games in his career, he said, “probably the top”.
1. Game-winner vs Minnesota Timberwolves en-route to the NBA Finals
Doncic hit one of the most iconic game-winners in NBA history in the 2024 Western Conference Finals. He was on the road against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and hit a three with seconds left to put the Mavericks up 2-0 going home.
The Mavs were down two when Doncic picked up the ball with 11 seconds remaining. He walked down four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, put him on skates with a series of crossovers, then stepped back and drained a game-winning three.
He walked back down the court with plenty of trash talk for Gobert afterwards, in a near-silent Target Center. The Mavs went on to win the series in five games, and Doncic had 36 in the series-winning Game 5.