The Mavericks’ improbable comeback win over the Knicks is the only evidence you need to believe in Luka Magic.
On Tuesday, Dallas trailed New York by nine points with 33.9 seconds left in the game, needing a miracle to pull off a victory. A Christian Wood 3-pointer cut the deficit to six, then the Mavericks forced a jump ball on a fullcourt press. After retaining possession, Luka Doncic got an and-one to fall, cutting the Knicks’ lead down to three with 15.4 seconds to play.
New York guard Miles McBride went 1-for-2 from the free throw line, then a Spencer Dinwiddie 3-pointer brought Dallas within one point with 9.4 seconds to go. After two made free throws from McBride, that’s where the magic began.
Leading by three, the Knicks fouled Doncic to prevent a game-tying 3-pointer. After sinking the first free throw, Doncic worked his magic to send the game into overtime, perfecting the intentionally missed free throw for a putback to tie the game in the final seconds.
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EVERY ANGLE of Luka’s RIDICULOUS game-tying putback bucket! 🎬😱 pic.twitter.com/5fdotmpi2x
— NBA (@NBA) December 28, 2022
Doncic’s stat line after regulation was already insane. The superstar guard had tallied 53 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists for the first 50-point triple-double of his career … and he wasn’t done yet.
Doncic went on to lead the Mavericks to victory in overtime, finishing with 60 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists. It’s the first-ever 60-20-10 triple-double in NBA history.
Doncic made more history along the way, passing Dirk Nowitzki (53 points) for the Mavericks’ franchise single-game scoring record. He also joined prolific guard James Harden as the only players in NBA history with a 60-point triple-double.
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Perhaps even more impressive is that over the last 20 years, teams that were trailing by nine or more points with fewer than 35 seconds remaining were 0-13,884 until Doncic’s Mavericks pulled off the nearly impossible miracle, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
After the historic performance, Doncic delivered the most relatable response when it comes to doing anything exhausting.
“I’m tired as hell,” Doncic told Bally Sports Southwest. “I need a recovery beer.”
Luka Doncic. A man of the people. #MFFL | @dallasmavs on @BallySportsSW 📺 pic.twitter.com/dAuhESamk4
— Bally Sports Southwest (@BallySportsSW) December 28, 2022
Doncic has the only 60-point game in the NBA this season, he’s tied with Joel Embiid and Devin Booker for the most 50-point games (2) and he leads the league in 40-point games (7), averaging a career-high 33.6 points per game.
Luka Magic, y’all.
