After Tuesday night’s NBA action had Joel Embiid score 70 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns 62, it was Luka Doncic and Devin Booker’s turn to step up on Saturday, marking just the fifth time in league history that two players scored 60 points or more on the same day.
Just like Embiid and Towns, Doncic and Booker had different outcomes for their teams. The Dallas Mavericks took full advantage of Doncic’s incredible night, winning 148-143 against Atlanta. On the other hand, the Phoenix Suns couldn’t capitalize on Booker’s 62-point game and ended up losing 133-131 to Indiana.
Doncic finished the night with 73 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists – the most points by anyone in NBA history not named Wilt Chamberlain or Kobe Bryant (and on par with David Thompson).
“Those names are special, man,” Doncic said after the game. “It’s unbelievable. I just feel special to be in that conversation with them.”
The All-Star made 17-of-20 two point shots, 8-of-13 three’s, and 15-of-16 free throws, marking the most effective 60+ point game in NBA history with a ridiculous true shooting percentage of 91.2.
Ich hab gerade viel zu lange gebraucht um das zu schneiden, also lasst bisschen Liebe da!
Jeder von Luka Doncics 73 Punkten in 73 Sekunden. pic.twitter.com/XMbv6lbf1I
— Len Werle (@RealLennyCarlos) January 27, 2024
Interestingly enough, his game to remember happened in his former NBA home, even though it only was ‘home’ for a couple of minutes. Doncic was initially chosen by the Hawks in the 2018 NBA draft, but his draft rights were later traded to Dallas for Trae Young and a first-round pick.
NBA Twitter, as well as NBA players reacted accordingly and were in awe over Luka’s record-performance.
Amazing, man. #MFFL pic.twitter.com/ioqjYljBmY
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) January 27, 2024
With 73 points tonight in Atlanta, Luka Dončić has:
– The most points in franchise history
– A new career-high
– One of 15 70-point games in NBA history
– Tied-fourth-most points scored in a game in NBA history
– The most points scored in a game this season pic.twitter.com/lgRxjeplJk— Mavs PR (@MavsPR) January 27, 2024
“CANT FU*KING STOP ME.”
– Luka. ️
(h/t @BiasedSlightly)
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 27, 2024
Luka
— Dirk Nowitzki (@swish41) January 27, 2024
Luka Unreal ! They traded Luka right?
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) January 27, 2024
Somebody going to score a 100 before the season over!
— DeMar DeRozan (@DeMar_DeRozan) January 27, 2024
Wemby not fair, I just got mad. Book had 60 on some Kobe shhhh. Luka might have the slowest 40 yard dash in the NBA next to me killinggggggg us. I love the @NBA ❤️
— D’Angelo Russell (@Dloading) January 27, 2024
82 points right here Congrats brother that was special to witness it pic.twitter.com/P6MbW8Zuth
— Grant Williams (@Grant2Will) January 27, 2024
Luka walking into Magic City after dropping 73 on the Hawks pic.twitter.com/K4ycr3mW17
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) January 27, 2024
“Luka about to score 80”
mavs role players:
pic.twitter.com/Ld3R6ifGlO— Bnz (@imnotBnzbtw) January 27, 2024
Luka 73 points and a win
DBook 62 points and an L pic.twitter.com/JRHQK4XNCh— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) January 27, 2024
Mamba mentality Luka Dončić dropping 73/10/7 on THIS day of all days. You just couldn’t write it any better than that pic.twitter.com/cOcgMVTAxn
— lynzie ✭ (@lynziekate) January 27, 2024
Luka doncic highlights agains the hawks pic.twitter.com/dcnekGiVtw
— vids that go hard (@vidsthatgohard) January 27, 2024
Luka after seeing Embiid and KAT go off this week
— Overtime (@overtime) January 27, 2024