Luka Doncic etched his name in the NBA history books with another phenomenal performance during Thursday’s NBA action, leading the Dallas Mavericks to a 114-108 victory over the Miami Heat.
Doncic’s 35 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists marked his fifth consecutive 30-point triple-double, a feat only matched by Russell Westbrook in 2017. This accomplishment underscores Doncic’s dominance in the league, as he also became the first player to achieve four straight 35-point triple-doubles, highlighting a night of resilience and skill that finally saw the Mavericks snap a three-game losing streak.
“It’s great, especially when it comes with a win,” Doncic said.
Doncic’s shooting prowess was on full display as he went 12 of 24 overall and an impressive 7 of 13 from beyond the arc, playing a crucial 40 minutes that left both fans and colleagues in awe of his talent.
“I’ve always said we can’t take that young man for granted,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. “You’re seeing something as rare as a Picasso.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat Updates
Kyrie Irving also played a significant role in Dallas’s win, adding 23 points and participating in a crucial 10-4 run alongside Doncic and Dante Exum that shifted the game’s momentum in favor of the Mavericks. This run was punctuated by remarkable 3-pointers that demonstrated both skill and a touch of luck.
“The 3 (by Doncic) with no time on the shot clock – everybody just knows he was going to make it,” Kidd said. “But that doesn’t happen for everybody.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat Updates
Doncic, reflecting on one of his clutch three-pointers, shared his confidence in the shot. “Once I let it go, I knew it was going in,” he said.
The Miami Heat, despite a strong showing from Terry Rozier and Duncan Robinson, could not contain the Mavericks’ late-game surge. Rozier’s performance, highlighted by 27 points and 11 assists, and Robinson’s 19 points were bright spots for Miami.
“Doncic – I’ve seen that play a lot at the buzzer,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “And Irving hit one as well on a three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust on a rebound, kind of bobbled, tipped, and, of course, it ended up in his hands wide open. And that just kind of gave them a little more separation.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat Updates
The Heat, who had been on a strong run winning seven of their last eight games, faced setbacks with injuries to key players, including Kevin Love and Josh Richardson, which may have impacted their performance.
As both teams look ahead to their next games, the Mavericks’ victory over the Heat not only adds a critical win to their record but also serves as a testament to Luka Doncic’s unparalleled ability to influence the game.
