Luka Dončić makes the seemingly impossible look routine.
So some NBA fans probably yawned when they saw that the Dallas Mavericks superstar had dropped 50 points in a 112-106 win over the Houston Rockets Friday night. After all, he entered the night averaging 32.2 points per game, second in the NBA.
But Friday’s outburst was special, even by Dončić’s high standards. He was only one point short of his career high in scoring, set against the Los Angeles Clippers in February.
Luka puts up 50 against the Rockets.pic.twitter.com/047zWWZvOS
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) December 24, 2022
Dončić joins Dirk Nowitzki as the only players in franchise history to reach 50 points more than once. Nowitzki also did it twice. It also marked Dončić’s fifth career game with 45 or more points, breaking a tie with Mark Aguirre for the most such games in team history.
Not a bad way to finish the work week after a rough start on Monday, when officials ejected Dončić for arguing a call.
Dončić hit 17-of-30 shots from the field, including 6-of-12 from behind the arc. He added 10 assists and eight rebounds. But again, he’s averaging 8.7 and 8.3 per game in those two categories.
NBA fans checked in on Twitter to celebrate the Mavs star.
Grant Afseth of DallasBasketball.com tweeted, “Luka Doncic is averaging 32.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 8.7 assists after finishing with 50-8-10 against the Rockets. If he stays above the 32-8-8 threshold on the season, he will join Michael Jordan as the only NBA players ever to do so in a single-season.”
One fan noted, “Luka Dončić had to score 50 points … 32 points in the second half … 17 points in the 4th quarter… and he had to play the whole entirety of the second half … all to beat the Rockets I don’t want to hear that ‘He has help,’ ever again.”
“Luka took it upon himself to carry the shorthanded squad tonight. We had 5 guys out,” tweeted a Mavericks fan.
“MVP!!!!!!!” tweeted Dalton Mobley with a short and unmistakable message.
Luka Doncic is averaging 32.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 8.7 assists after finishing with 50-8-10 against the Rockets. If he stays above the 32-8-8 threshold on the season, he will join Michael Jordan as the only NBA players ever to do so in a single-season. pic.twitter.com/ovNGQLlGj1
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) December 24, 2022
Luka Dončić had to score 50 points…32 points in the second half…17 points in the 4th quarter… and he had to play the whole entirety of the second half… all to beat the Rockets
I don’t want to hear that “He has help,” ever again. pic.twitter.com/xehZwYF2jP
— ♟️ (@Coopz___) December 24, 2022
Luka took it upon himself to carry the shorthanded squad tonight. We had 5 guys out.
— x – Cj Cali Lukai MFFL❗️😤 (@KingPaper559) December 24, 2022
MVP!!!!!!!
— Swish (@Swishh77) December 24, 2022
